Indus Valley Civilization Overview

Overview

This lecture covers the concept of civilization, focusing on definitions, characteristics, and a detailed look at the Indus Valley Civilization, including its achievements and decline.

Defining Civilization

• The term "civilization" is controversial because it often implies other groups are "uncivilized."
• Civilizations are intellectual constructs used to compare different societies.
• No one in ancient times referred to themselves as living in a "civilization."
• Civilizations are commonly diagnosed by having surplus production, cities, specialization of labor, trade, social stratification, centralized government, shared values (often religion), and writing.

Characteristics of Early Civilizations

• Most early civilizations developed along rivers for fertile land and reliable water supply.
• Rivers mentioned: Tigris and Euphrates, Yellow River, Nile, Amazon Basin, Coatzacoalcos, and Indus.
• River valleys provided easy irrigation and nutrient-rich silt after floods.

The Indus Valley Civilization

• Flourished in the Indus and Saraswati river flood plains around 3000 BCE.
• Had reliable river flooding, supporting dense populations with surplus food.
• It was the largest ancient civilization with over 1500 discovered sites.
• Cities like Harappa and Mohenjo Daro featured multi-story brick buildings and perpendicular streets.
• Cities had centralized drainage and plumbing systems and were oriented for natural air conditioning.
• The largest public building was the Great Bath, possibly used for ritual purity.
• Indus people traded cotton cloth and used undeciphered seals for trade identification.
• Seals have been found in Mesopotamia, indicating trade connections.
• Few weapons or evidence of warfare have been found, suggesting a peaceful society.

Theories on Indus Valley Decline

• Historians suggest three main theories: conquest by outsiders, environmental disaster, or a massive earthquake altering river courses.
• The decline happened around 1750 BCE.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Civilization — A complex society with surplus production, cities, specialization, trade, social hierarchy, central government, shared values, and writing.
• Social Stratification — Hierarchical levels in society, often based on occupation or class.
• Specialization of Labor — People focusing on different jobs, making trade possible.
• The Great Bath — Large public bath in Mohenjo Daro used possibly for ritual purification.
• Seals — Clay markers with inscriptions used for trade and identification in the Indus Valley.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Review characteristics and criteria for defining a civilization.
• Prepare for next week’s lecture on Mesopotamia (“Hot Mess o’ Potamia”).
• If you have questions, prepare them for discussion.