Choose which aspects of civilization scholars still have questions about for the Indus Vally civilization
Scholars still have several questions about the Indus Valley civilization. Some key aspects that they continue to debate and research include:
1. Language: The Indus Valley civilization had a script that has not yet been deciphered. Scholars are still unsure about the language used by the inhabitants of this civilization and whether it was a script, proto-writing system, or a fully developed language.
2. Political and social organization: The exact political structure of the Indus Valley civilization remains unclear. Scholars debate whether it was a centralized state or a collection of city-states and how power was distributed among different regions and settlements. The social hierarchy, class divisions, and the role of rulers and elites are also subjects of ongoing research and discussion.
3. Trade and external contacts: The Indus Valley civilization had extensive trade networks, evidenced by the presence of imported materials such as mesopotamian seals, gemstones, and other artifacts at various sites. However, the exact nature and extent of these trade connections, as well as the relationships with contemporary cultures in Mesopotamia and beyond, are still being investigated.
4. Religion and belief systems: Although religious and ritual practices were an integral part of the Indus Valley civilization, scholars are uncertain about the specific beliefs, deities, and religious symbolism of this ancient society. The significance of various artifacts found at Indus Valley sites, such as seal motifs, terracotta figurines, and the iconic "priest-king" statue, continue to be a topic of debate and speculation.
5. Decline and collapse: The reasons for the decline and ultimate collapse of the Indus Valley civilization are still uncertain. Scholars have proposed various hypotheses, including environmental factors such as climate change, changing river patterns, or a possible Aryan invasion. However, there is no consensus, and further research is needed to understand the cause(s) of its decline.
It's important to note that ongoing archaeological excavations, technological advancements, and interdisciplinary research are continually shedding new light on these aspects of the Indus Valley civilization. As a result, our understanding of this ancient civilization is expected to evolve with further discoveries and analysis.