Chapter 1 Overview Indus Valley

Indus River Valley2500 BCE – 1500 BCE

Around 2600 B.C. the various regional cultures were united in what is called the Indus Valley Civilization. It is also commonly referred to as the Harappan culture after the town of Harappa (where it was first discovered.)

Indus River Valley Civilization

Excavations at the ancient Harappan and Mohenjo Daro mounds revealed well planned cities and towns built on massive mud brick platforms that protected the inhabitants against seasonal floods. In the larger cities the houses were built of baked brick while at smaller towns most houses were built of sun-dried mud brick. Each city is laid out in a grid pattern and shows signs of stunningly modern plumbing systems.

Much writing has been found at these sites, but it has not yet been translated.

What challenges did the people along the Indus River face?

• unpredictable rivers (similar situation to Mesopotamia region)

• strong winds / monsoons

Indus Economy

• Just like the other River Valley Civilizations, the Indus river valley people were mostly farmers.

• Traditional economy• They did trade with

Chinese and with Sumerians (Mesopotamians).

What happened to the Harappan Civilization on the Indus River?

•Above: The Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro. •Surrounding pics: various Harappan artifacts.

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Three Theories about why the Indus Valley civilization ended around 1500 BCE

•Harappans abandoning their city.

1. The river may have changed course, natural disaster (caused by heavy monsoons)

2. The people may have overworked the land (overcutting trees, overgrazed, over-farmed land depleting nutrients)

3. Invaders (the disputed (A.I.T.) Aryan Invasion Theory)

Did you know?

•Hinduism is considered to be the world’s oldest

religion.

•Yet it’s origins have long been a

mystery.

Above: Terracota household statues such as this female goddess are

found frequently in the region. Is this religious icon an early Shiva? Does modern Hinduism have its origins in

Harappan civilization?

Cultural diffusion is the spread of elements of one culture to another people, generally through trade.

Take the spread of writing. Similarities between the pictograms of Egyptian hieroglyphics, Sumerian cuneiform, and the Indus script are striking.

•Can you give examples of cultural diffusion in your society today?

•PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.