Key features of the Indus Valley civilization
- Urban planning: Cities in the Indus Valley civilization were carefully planned, with streets laid out in a grid pattern and advanced drainage systems to manage waste and water flow.
- Advanced craftsmanship: The Indus Valley civilization produced intricately designed pottery, jewelry, seals, and metalwork, demonstrating a high level of craftsmanship and artistic skill.
- Trade and commerce: The Indus Valley civilization engaged in long-distance trade with Mesopotamia, Egypt, and other regions, importing and exporting a variety of goods such as precious stones, metals, and pottery.
- Writing system: The Indus Valley civilization developed a sophisticated writing system, known as the Indus script, although it has not yet been fully deciphered.
- Religion: The people of the Indus Valley civilization worshipped a pantheon of deities, as evidenced by figurines and seals depicting gods and goddesses.
- Agricultural innovation: The Indus Valley civilization developed advanced agricultural techniques, including irrigation systems and crop rotation, to support a thriving agricultural economy.
- Social hierarchy: The society of the Indus Valley civilization was likely stratified, with evidence of elite residences and burials indicating a hierarchical social structure.
- Decline and disappearance: The Indus Valley civilization began to decline around 1900 BCE, possibly due to environmental factors such as climate change or natural disasters. The exact reasons for its disappearance remain unclear.