Harappan Civilization

HARAPPAN SOCIETY

Around the same time that Mesopotamia and Egypt developed civilizations, another civilization grew up in the Indus River valley region. Unfortunately, although archaeologists have discovered that they had a written language consisting of at least 400 symbols, the longest stretch of symbols discovered so far is only 25, and no Rosetta Stone has been unearthed to help them crack the code. Therefore, we must speculate about what the culture may have been like based on material evidence. Following are some of the pieces of evidence that historians have to go on. Using this limited bit of evidence, make inferences about what the Harappan culture must have been like.

EVIDENCE

INFERENCES

Bricks found at three of the major sites of cities are all uniform in their size and shape

They created thousands of seals with animals and writing many of these seals have been found in Mesopotamia

At Mohenjo-Daro, an artificial mound was discovered 50 feet high, surrounded by a brick wall. Some of the rooms were used for ammunition. A large bath was connected, as well as storage space for grain.

Cities reflect urban planning. They are all laid out with major roads running north and south.

No palaces for royalty have been discovered.

No large religious temples or statues have been discovered. However, a number of small figures have been found, of female figures who appear pregnant and often have children with them. There are also nude male figures with horns, seated in yoga position and surrounded by animals

Many of the seals have pictures of bulls on them

Houses are often 30 feet square and may have been more than one storey. They had indoor toilets and showers with underground sewer systems.

Many toys and games have been found

Some pots, weapons and a few sacrificed animals have been found in graves.

At one of the major cities, Lothal, docks were constructed that could adjust with the tides

A bead factory was discovered over 5,000 square feet of building space

They were the first to grow cotton and weave it into clothing

Later excavation shows that cities started to allow garbage to build up in the streets

Some skeletons were found in dead end streets in Mohenjo-Daro, in positions that suggest that they were running or hiding.

Some city walls were 40 feet thick and 35 feet tall

Hordes of jewelry were found.

Some later houses were not built as sturdily as the original houses they appeared to be built up on platforms

Lots of silt has been deposited on the sites of some of the cities.

Mesopotamian literature refers to a land to the east, where they traded wool, leather, and olive oil.

Some fire alters have been discovered.

Summary:

After completing the "inferences" above try to groups these ideas into categories that will tell "your" view of this society. You should strive to place everything into 3-5 categories. Then read at least two sources about this civilization and then explain your your findings either agree or disagree with the way things actually were.

EVIDENCE	INFERENCES
Bricks found at three of the major sites of cities are all uniform in their size and shape
They created thousands of seals with animals and writing many of these seals have been found in Mesopotamia
At Mohenjo-Daro, an artificial mound was discovered 50 feet high, surrounded by a brick wall. Some of the rooms were used for ammunition. A large bath was connected, as well as storage space for grain.
Cities reflect urban planning. They are all laid out with major roads running north and south.
No palaces for royalty have been discovered.
No large religious temples or statues have been discovered. However, a number of small figures have been found, of female figures who appear pregnant and often have children with them. There are also nude male figures with horns, seated in yoga position and surrounded by animals
Many of the seals have pictures of bulls on them
Houses are often 30 feet square and may have been more than one storey. They had indoor toilets and showers with underground sewer systems.
Many toys and games have been found
Some pots, weapons and a few sacrificed animals have been found in graves.
At one of the major cities, Lothal, docks were constructed that could adjust with the tides
A bead factory was discovered over 5,000 square feet of building space
They were the first to grow cotton and weave it into clothing
Later excavation shows that cities started to allow garbage to build up in the streets
Some skeletons were found in dead end streets in Mohenjo-Daro, in positions that suggest that they were running or hiding.
Some city walls were 40 feet thick and 35 feet tall
Hordes of jewelry were found.
Some later houses were not built as sturdily as the original houses they appeared to be built up on platforms
Lots of silt has been deposited on the sites of some of the cities.
Mesopotamian literature refers to a land to the east, where they traded wool, leather, and olive oil.
Some fire alters have been discovered.