Ancient India Located where

natural barriers, separate the South Asian subcontinent from the rest of Asia. India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are there now.

Between 2500 and 1500 B.C. “No golden tombs, no fancy ziggurats. Four thousand years ago city builders in the Indus Valley

made deals, not war, and created a stable, peaceful and prosperous culture” Discover magazine

The Harappan Civilization There were two

main cities: Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro

Examples of outstanding urban planning. Houses with several stories and bathrooms and a drain system.

It was larger than Egypt and Mesopotamia combined.

Kids in Mohenjo-Daro

Excavated ruins of Mohenjo-Daro

Economy Most of the Harappan

people worked the land.

Wheat, barley, rice and cotton were produced.

They were engaged in industry and commerce (bronze and copper tools, silver and gold vessels, shell and ivory jewelry, clay pots, cotton clothes)

They used to trade with the people of Mesopotamia

Harappan burial pots

Language and Religion They inscribed

pictograms on the seals they placed on packages of goods (from the people of Mesopotamia)

Some scientists say they used to associate their gods with natural forces. Other ones say there is no evidence of any particular religion.

Burial of woman and infant, Harappa.

Harappan arts They use terracotta

and bronze sculptures and gold jewelry.

Terracotta toys and jars and plates.

Seals

Architecture They show a

degree or urban planning that only Romans could achieve until 2,000 years later.

Their cities (Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa) used to have defensive outer walls, very well planned streets and blocks.

Collapse of a Civilization By 1500 B.C. the Harappan

civilization had disappeared. Evidence of floods suggests possible

climate changes. There are also, signs that Harappan

people may had met a violent end, possibly at the hands of invaders.

And finally some others say there was a severe earthquake.