Archaeologists cleaning a drain to flush out rainwater from an explored part of the ancient Indus Valley city of Moenjodaro have been pleasantly surprised to come across artefacts and other objects of much cultural value at the World Heritage site.

Well-defined structures of old drains were discovered along with certain old artefacts during the digging, which was necessitated to prevent rainwater stagnating at the world heritage site.

An object called an "elliptical lid" that might have been used for keeping "holy water" or "ceremonial water" was also found. Moenjodaro curator Irshad Rid said this was something new for archaeologists.

Prior to the current digging, no such object had been found at any site of the Indus Valley Civilisation, he added.