New excavations in the lower town of Dholavira have revealed a unique architectural feature: a massive 4,500-year-old plaza designed specifically for post-harvest grain processing. The plaza is constructed from standardized sandstone slabs and features a series of narrow, stone-lined subterranean channels that served as thermal vents to circulate air and prevent moisture buildup.
This discovery highlights the sophisticated public infrastructure of the Indus Valley Civilization, suggesting that grain drying was a communal activity managed by city officials to ensure the longevity of food stores. Archaeologists found significant traces of carbonized barley and wheat trapped within the vents, confirming the structure's specialized agricultural purpose.