INDUS VALLEY MYSTERIES:

The artifacts and ruins of buildings found in Indus Valley cities provide a great deal of

information about this ancient civilization, but scholars still have many questions about it. As

you have read, scholars have not learned much about Indus Valley Government. Clearly, the

people were well organized. Yet no evidence has indicated who organized the society and how

they did so.

OTHER MYSTERIES:

Religion is another aspect of the Indus Valley civilization about which little is known. Scholars

have found no sign of temples or priests, although some artifacts suggest links with later

Hinduism. Also , little evidence of war has been found in this region.

In addition, scholars have not yet determined how to read the symbols found on the stone seals

and pottery of the Indus Valley people. Most experts think that there marks are a form of

writing. However, scholars have not successfully determined whether these marks indicate

names, stories, or something else.

The greatest mystery, however, is the cause of the decline of this civilization. Around 1950 B.C.,

The Harapanns began to abandon their cities. By 1500 B.C., the civilization disappeared.

Some historians believe that climate change may have caused the disappearance. In some

areas, heavy flooding may have destroyed cities. IN other, years of drought may have driven

people away. Other types of disaster could also contributed to collapse. Earthquakes or foreign

invaders may have damaged some cities.

Some historians believe that the economic problems led to the decline. After years of heavy

farming, the indus Valley soil may have lost its fertility. Smaller harvest would have harmed the

economy.

Troubles in Mesopotamia would probably have hurt trade between the Indus Valley and Sumer.

Such events may have resulted in hard times for both traders and artisansin the Indus Valley.

Whatever the cause of the civilization’s collapse, it would take another thousands years for a

new civilization to take root on the Indian subcontinent.

Activity:

Describe two mysteries

surrounding the Indus Valley

Civilization