Rehman Dheri Mound — Gomal Plain
Rehman Dheri — Gomal · Earliest grid-planned town South Asia · Kot Diji — Gomal mound
Early Harappan to Mature Harappan (3300–1900 BCE, Rehman Dheri I–III)·Early Harappan (Rehman Dheri culture, Kot Diji–Harappan)·🇵🇰 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dera Ismail Khan, Gomal plain (Rehman Dheri), Pakistan
About
About Rehman Dheri Mound — Gomal Plain
Rehman Dheri Mound — Gomal Plain in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dera Ismail Khan, Gomal plain (Rehman Dheri), Pakistan is a Early Harappan to Mature Harappan (3300–1900 BCE, Rehman Dheri I–III) pyramid/mound site attributed to Early Harappan (Rehman Dheri culture, Kot Diji–Harappan) culture. The tell/mound rises markedly above the plain, with stratified mudbrick and burnt levels documenting successive rebuilds. Excavations reveal early planning, drainage and cult installations. Comprehensive stratigraphy and published sections allow detailed phasing. Systematic survey, magnetometry and radiocarbon provide chronology.
Why it mattersKey Early Harappan (Rehman Dheri culture, Kot Diji–Harappan) mound/pyramid informing urbanism and monumentality debate; long stratigraphy anchors regional chronology; type-site for local ceramic sequence.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology of earliest level — radiocarbon vs ceramic seriation unresolved
- 02Function of platform — defense vs ritual vs flood refuge debated
Theories
- 01Urban genesis — mound as autonomous centre vs secondary foundation
- 02Hydraulic hypothesis — platform responding to irrigation and flood control
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.3300–1900 BCE (Early Harappan to Mature Harappan, walled town)
- Period
- Early Harappan to Mature Harappan (3300–1900 BCE, Rehman Dheri I–III)
- Culture
- Early Harappan (Rehman Dheri culture, Kot Diji–Harappan)
- Purpose
- Pyramidal mound / tellsite — Early Harappan (Rehman Dheri culture, Kot Diji–Harappan) settlement with monumental platform, controlling regional trade and irrigation
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.3300–1900 BCE (Early Harappan to Mature Harappan, walled town)
Initial major platform/tell settlement founded
c.2000 BCE
Peak occupation with citadel and lower town
1900
Early antiquarian soundings
1950–80
Modern stratigraphic excavations establish sequence
On the ground
Structures & features
32.0500° N · 70.6300° E · 280 m · 3 mapped features
Rehman Dheri Mound — Gomal Plain — Citadel/platform mound
pyramidMain high mound/platform with mudbrick terraces and retaining walls — central pyramid/mound
32.0503° N · 70.6303° ERehman Dheri Mound — Gomal Plain — Lower town/lower mound
settlementLower settlement sprawl with streets, drains and domestic quarters at foot of main mound
32.0492° N · 70.6295° ERehman Dheri Mound — Gomal Plain — Temple/granary complex
templeCult or storage complex on platform summit — plastered hall with podium and drainage
32.0505° N · 70.6296° E