EARLY RIVER CIVILIZATIONS Indus River Valley: Section 3
Geography of South Asia Hindu Kush, Karakorum and Himalaya mountain ranges create a barrier between South Asia and the rest of the continent. Often called the Indian sub-continent The Indus and Ganges rivers form a fertile plain of over 1500 miles Strong winds called monsoons blow across the Indian subcontinent for months at a time.
Environmental Challenges Much like Mesopotamia and Nile River Valleys, the Indus River Valley had to deal with flooding on a yearly basis Far more unpredictable than the Nile The enormous mountains of the Himalayas created a natural and nearly impassable barrier.
Formation of Himalayas
Himalayan bus
Civilization on the Indus Not a great deal of information about early Indus River Civilizations… Most likely lost in a flood and several areas have not been excavated. It is assumed that the earliest settlers made their way through the Khyber Pass in the Hindu Kush mountains Earliest archaeological evidence of domesticated sheep around 7000 BCE and villages established in 3200 BCE
Planned Cities Around 2500 BCE – at the time of the pyramids of the Nile, the settlers of the Indus River Valley were building cities. Evidence shows sophisticated city planning and a specific grid system. Also included a Citadel: a fortified area with buildings; and sewage systems also existed Different from Mesopotamia which were scattered and unplanned cities Over 100 settlements discovered along the Indus
Culture and Trade Among archaeological relics – very few weapons have been found, suggesting that war was not a central part of the Indus River civilization. Religious artifacts relating to Hindu religion have been unearthed. Use of stamps and seals to identify goods from Indus were discovered. Shows evidence of long- distance trade – including some found in Sumer.
Whaaa happen?? It is around 1750 BCE that the Indus River civilization starts to show signs of decay. Change of the river? Over farming? Destroyed natural habitat? Natural disaster or army attack could have also signaled end of the civilization. The Aryans could have could have come from the north and destroyed the people of the Indus.
Crash Course – Indus River Valley