There is no conclusive evidence of palaces or temples or even of kings, armies, or priests , and the largest structures may be granaries. Sokhta Koh. Sokhta Koh, a Harappan coastal settlement near Pasni, Pakistan, is depicted in a computer reconstruction. Archaeological records provide no immediate answers regarding a center of authority, or depictions of people in power in Harappan society. The extraordinary uniformity of Harappan artifacts is evident in pottery, seals, weights, and bricks with standardized sizes and weights, suggesting some form of authority and governance.
Over time, three major theories have developed concerning Harappan governance or system of rule. The first is that there was a single state encompassing all the communities of the civilization, given the similarity in artifacts, the evidence of planned settlements, the standardized ratio of brick size, and the apparent establishment of settlements near sources of raw material.
The second theory posits that there was no single ruler, but a number of them representing each of the urban centers, including Mohenjo-daro, Harappa, and other communities. Finally, experts have theorized that the Indus Valley Civilization had no rulers as we understand them, with everyone enjoying equal status.
Privacy Policy. Skip to main content. Search for:. These cities contained well-organized wastewater drainage systems, trash collection systems, and possibly even public granaries and baths. Although there were large walls and citadels, there is no evidence of monuments, palaces, or temples. The uniformity of Harappan artifacts suggests some form of authority and governance to regulate seals, weights, and bricks. Terms urban planning A technical and political process concerned with the use of land and design of the urban environment that guides and ensures the orderly development of settlements and communities.
Harappan food economy was based on a combination of agriculture, pastoralism, and fishing and hunting. Harappans farmed domesticated wheat and barley , pulses and millets , sesame, peas , chickpeas, and other vegetables. Animal husbandry included humped Bos indicus and non-humped Bos bubalis cattle and, to a lesser degree, sheep and goats.
The people hunted elephant, rhinoceros, water buffalo, elk, deer, antelope and wild ass. Trade for raw materials began as early as the Ravi phase, including marine resources, wood, stone, and metal from the coastal regions, as well as neighboring regions in Afghanistan, Baluchistan and the Himalayas. Trade networks and migration of people into and out of Harappa were established by then as well, but the city truly became cosmopolitan during the Integration era.
Unlike Mesopotamia's royal burials there are no huge monuments or obvious rulers in any of the burials, although there is some evidence for some differential elite access to luxury goods. Some of the skeletons also show injuries, suggesting that interpersonal violence was a fact of life for some of the city's residents, but not all. Part of the population had less access to elite goods and a higher risk of violence. Over 25 field seasons have occurred since the first excavations.
Mark Kenoyer. An excellent source for information about Harappa with lots of photographs comes from the highly recommended at Harappa. Selected Sources:. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance.
Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Share Flipboard Email. Kris Hirst. Archaeology Expert. Kris Hirst is an archaeologist with 30 years of field experience.
Her work has appeared in scholarly publications such as Archaeology Online and Science. Twitter Twitter. Updated September 20, Featured Video. Cite this Article Format. Hirst, K. Indus Civilization Timeline and Description. Who Were the Aryans? Hitler's Persistent Mythology.
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