The Indus Valley Civilization

The Indus Valley Civilization was a Bronze Age civilization in the northwestern regions of South Asia, lasting from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE. By 2600 BCE, dozens of towns and cities had been established, and between 2500 and 2000 BCE the Indus Valley Civilization was at its peak.

In 1826 Charles Mason, a British traveler in dusty Punjab (in part of what is now Pakistan) noticed what he called ‘a ruined brick castle with very high walls and towers’. To him it looked similar to the thousand year-old castles of Europe, and it seemed nothing special to the British railway engineers who reused some of the old bricks to build their new railway in the 1850’s.

Indus River

The Indus River flows nearly 3000 km from the high Himalayas across Pakistan into the Arabian Sea. Its fertile valley provided much needed water for drinking, washing, and irrigating fields for early farmers.

Planned cities

Two major cities discovered by archaeologists are known as Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. These settlements were built on a grid system which included drains, roads and sewers. A large ten-meter wide street passed through the middle of each settlement, wide enough for two elephants or two bullock carts to pass each other at the same time. There were drains along the streets.

What Artefacts Did Archaeologist Discover In The Cities?

Archaeologist have uncovered many remarkable artefacts over the years. These included dice, games, toy carts, and animals: cows that would waggle their heads, monkeys that could slide down ropes, and pull-along toys on wheels. There was jewelry, including bangles and ear studs, and decorated pots.

In Mohenjo-Daro, a large stone statue was uncovered with an ornate headband carved round the head, similar to others found in the region (but these others were made from gold, not carved from stone). Archaeologist have named this figure the Priest King.

Over 3500 small seals were found with pictures of animals carved on them: elephants, rhinoceroses, tigers and fish eating crocodiles. The pipal tree was also often drawn on the seals. There was also some kind of writing with over 400 different types of symbol or letter (although no one has been able to translate them as yet).

The paw prints of animals were also found preserved in the mud, as well as animal bones, sea sells, and seeds from fruit. No money or coins have been uncovered anywhere.

Archaeologist discovered individual graves where people were buried with clay pots, clay figures, and beads.

Use of bricks for construction

Archaeologist claim that Indus Valley people made their bricks by pouring a mix of soil, clay, and water into wooden moulds so that the bricks dry in the sun. The small paved area in the floor of houses must have been a sort of shower tray’. The people may have poured clean water over themselves from a pot to wash and the dirty water would have drained away.

The Great Bath

The Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro have been used for commercial bathing. Its clay bricks may have been lined with tar to stop water seeping away.

Seals for Trade

Archaeologist say that the seals with pictures of animals on them that were found were probably seals placed on goods as a trade symbol or to show that the goods had been taxed. The fact that no coinage has been found means that the people of Indus Valley did not have money; instead they must have traded by swapping goods.

The great stone statue

Archaeologist claimed that because the headband of the Priest King was similar to headbands elsewhere in the region made from gold, the Indus Valley people must have been able to melt gold and make ornaments with it.

Religious symbols

The discovery of the pipal tree led some archaeologists to claim that it may have been a religious symbol for the people of the Indus Valley. This is primarily because the pipal is holy to some Buddhists and Hindus even today.

Climate

Archaeologists claim that because the weather was very hot in the Indus Valley, most people must have spent time outside. Richer families must have spent their time in the courtyards of their houses where children could play with toys and pets. 

Poor families would have walked around their flat roofs which they could have used as an extra room, particularly when it was cooler at night time.

Animals

The animal’s footprints found in mud, the toy animals, remains of the animal bones, and the pictures of animals on seals prove that the people of Indus Valley farmed animals, kept them as pets, and also eat meat.

How did the Indus Valley Civilization Decline?

There are three theories which explains the end of the Civilization:

Theory A

Some archaeologists have claimed that the Indus Valley Civilization was conquered by violent invaders called Aryans. He mass grave with scores of skeletons have in it has been used as evidence for this.

Theory B

The Indus Valley Civilization traded with ancient Mesopotamia. In around 1900 BCE trade was disrupted because Mesopotamia was involved in wars. This was around the same time as the Indus Valley Civilization declined. Perhaps, the civilization ended because this trade completely stopped?

Theory C

Some archaeologist suggest that the climate changed. The Indus Rive and an important river nearby may have changed their courses; there may also have been earthquakes. This means that the people living in the cities close to these rivers could no longer get water, so the settlements were abandoned.