Mehrgarh is a Neolithic site (7000 BCE to c. 2500 BCE) located 30 kilometers (18.64 miles) west of the town of Sibi and 120 kilometers (74.57 miles) south-east of Quetta on the Kachi plain of Balochistan, Pakistan. It is one of the oldest sites with evidence of agricultural activities in Asia. Evidence of farming (wheat and barley) and herding (sheep, goats and cattle) have been discovered in the area. The discovery of Mehrgarh was made in 1974 by and archaeological team supervised by French archaeologist named Jean-François Jarrige. The place was continuously excavated between 1974 and 1986, and again from 1997 to 2000.
The earliest settlement in Mehrgarh is found at north-east corner, is dated between 7000 BCE to 5500 BCE. It was small agricultural village of 495 acre (2 square kilometers). The entire area covers several subsequent settlements. Archaeological materials have been found in six mounds. About 32000 art crafts have been discovered in this area. Mehrgarh is now conceived as forerunner to Civilization of Indus Valley.
Map:
Map of Mehrgarh – click on map image to see detailed map
