Moenjodaro

A World Heritage Site at Risk

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to describe the mam threats affecting the conservation of Moenjodaro, an archaeological site that prospered from 2350 to 1800 BC in the fertile Indus flood plam of Sindh (Pakistan). Since 1924, when it was first excavated by the Archaeological Survey of British India under John Marshall, the site suffered from unceasing decay due to both environmental and man made factors. In 1972 the Government of Pakistan and UNESCO jointly prepared a master plan for the conservation of the site. However, the major threat is today represented by soluble salts attack (mainly sodium sulphate), rising damp, heavy precipitation in the monsoon season, poor dramage, thermal stress causing walls to lean and decay structurally, visitor behaviour, site mismanagement, and the lack of vegetation. As a result, in 2000 the site was inscribed in the ICOMOS register of heritage at risk. The paper analyses past and present conservation methods, and provides recommendations for future repair and mamtenance.