LAHORE: The Lahore Museum is expanding and uplifting its Indus Gallery in connection with centenary celebrations of the discovery of the Indus Valley civilisation. The project is will be completed in the near future, officials told Dawn.

They said the gallery carried ancient artifacts such as seals presumably used as currency. The collection of such seals from the Indus Valley civilization at the museum is the largest in the world.

Aliza Saba Rizvi, the curator of the gallery, says the Lahore Museum is one of the oldest museums of the country, showcasing a 4,000 years old collection in its Indus Gallery that has artifacts from the excavations of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. This rich collection includes rare seals, gaming objects, jewellery made of semi-precious stones, weights, human and animal figurines, architectural bricks and pottery.

A century has passed since the great civilization of the ancient world was discovered and excavated by renowned archaeologists like Sir John Marshall. Later on, a series of discoveries and excavations of Harappan period sites started and many of its secrets were uncovered by archaeologists.

In recognition of its significance, the Lahore Museum is planning to celebrate 100 years of the discovery and as a part of the celebrations, its Indus Gallery would be expanded to display the maximum objects housed in the reserve collection as well. To make the gallery more elaborative and attractive for the general public, the display of objects will be improved through pictures and maps.

“About 1,200 artifacts lying in the reserves will also be put on display in the expanded gallery. The gallery would showcase new artifacts too,” Ms Rizvi says.

“Expanding a gallery of such supreme importance is a slow and tedious process; however, we are carrying out this uphill task and the gallery will have more artifacts from the reserves soon”.

She says the Indus civilisation and the gallery carried the oldest artifacts available in the world and adds that there will be a grand reopening of the gallery for its centennial celebrations.

The Lahore Museum has also extensively worked on the public facilities as tables and chairs have been placed in every gallery for the convenience of the visitors. Similarly, in the open area of the museum, besides the bookshop, seating arrangements have been made for the visitors.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2023