John Marshall was a British archaeologist who was appointed as the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India in 1902. He is known for his pioneering work in excavating the ancient Indus Valley Civilization.




John Marshall was one of the first archaeologists to use the technique of stratigraphy in his excavations. This involves digging down through the layers of earth, or strata, to uncover the different periods of history that are buried there. By carefully examining the layers and the objects found within them, Marshall was able to piece together a detailed picture of the Indus Valley Civilization.


Marshall also introduced the grid system of excavation, which involves dividing the site into a series of squares or grids, each with its own reference number. This allowed him to keep track of the exact location of each object and artefact, making it easier to reconstruct the site and understand the layout of the civilization.


Marshall was also known for his systematic recording of the objects and artefacts found during his excavations. He would carefully document each item, noting its exact location within the grid system, its size, shape, and any other relevant details. This meticulous approach to recording allowed him to build up a comprehensive database of information about the Indus Valley Civilization.


Marshall was one of the first archaeologists to make extensive use of photography in his work. He would take photographs of the site and the objects he uncovered, providing a visual record of his excavations. This helped him to document his findings in a clear and concise way, and to share his discoveries with other scholars around the world.


John Marshall's innovative techniques and meticulous approach to excavation helped to revolutionize the field of archaeology, and his work on the Indus Valley Civilization remains a landmark achievement in the study of ancient history.

Sir John Hubert Marshall CIE FBA (19 March 1876, Chester, England – 17 August 1958, Guildford, England) was the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India from 1902 to 1928.[1] He oversaw the excavations of Harappa and Mohenjodaro, two of the main cities that comprise the Indus Valley Civilization.