Indus River Valley Harappa

Introduction *The Indus River Valley flourished in 2,500 B.C.E. *It is located in the western part of South Asia, what is today called Pakistan and western India *It is the largest of the four ancient urban civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, India and China. *First discovered city was Harappa. It was discovered in 1920’s. *Harappans used same size bricks and standard weights. *Civilization extended several hundred miles – Himalayas to coast of Indian Ocean *Harappa supported population of 50,000 *Excavations continued into 1998

City Structure The Indus civilization extended over half a million square miles across the Indus River Valley. The city was split into two different areas: * Citadel Area - the establishment for religious ceremonies and worship. * Residential Area - the establishment where the population lived. In the residential area the streets formed a grid-like system. Each street intersected another at a 90° angle. The streets show a sense of planning, leadership, and organization.

Houses * Houses were also built in a grid-like pattern and were on both sides of the road. * They were built from hand made baked bricks. Houses varied in size and some were even two stories high. * A courtyard was in the middle of the house and windows overlooked it. The outside walls had no windows. * The roofs of the houses were flat and made from wood, reed, and mud plaster. * Because they were for the convenience of the citizens the houses were the finest structures that were built.

Drainage Systems and Wells The Indus River Valley civilization had a remarkable system to remove waste and water. Drains were made from clay pipes that were placed underground. There were even drainage holes on the sides of the streets to remove water. They evenly spaced rocks over the holes to allow only water, not debris, to enter the drain. Almost every house had its own private drinking well, drainage system, and private bathroom.

Public and Private Baths * The baths were made from tightly fitted bricks. * A natural tar substance was placed on the bottom and sides of the bath to prevent the water from leaking. * Public baths may have served as a public pool or a ritual bathing area. * Almost every house had its own private bathroom and bath area.

Other City Structures The city was surrounded by a giant wall which protected it from invaders. There are no large cemeteries or royal burial monuments found which suggests that they did not bury the dead but cremated them. Granaries were found inside the city. They held all the agricultural goods that were produced. The grain held in the structure pictured below could be accessed by holes at the bottom.

Economy * Area received abundant rainfall. * Indus River and tributaries provided water and fertile soil. * 4000 B.C.E – farmed along bank of Indus River. * 3000 B.C.E – irrigation began. * Grew wheat, barley, peas, sesamum, dates, rice, melons, and other fruits. * Fist civilization to discover the growing of cotton – used it to make clothes. * Domesticated sheep and goats – later cattle and used them to pull wagons. * Granaries developed – indicated crop surplus. * Developed flood control techniques