Unlike other Harappan antecedent towns normally located near to rivers and perennial sources of water, the location of Dholavira in the island of Khadir bet.
Artifacts that were found here include terracotta pottery, beads, gold and copper ornaments, seals, fish hooks, animal figurines, tools, urns, and some imported vessels.
Remains of a copper smelter indicate Harappans, who lived in Dholavira, knew metallurgy.
It is believed that traders of Dholavira used to source copper ore from present-day Rajasthan and Oman and UAE and exported finished products.
It was also a hub of manufacturing jewellery made of shells and semi-precious stones, like agate and used to export timber.