1. Decline of the Indus Valley Civilization Overview of the Civ Causes and Consequences Oct. 2018
CHW3M

2. Map
You can see that this ancient civ covered areas of modern day India and Pakistan. Two of its most well known cities were Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro

3. Pillar of Civ 1 - State Religion
God-like figures adorned many seals and other objects
Seal – possibly to sign letters and record trade

4. Pillar 2 - Specialization of Jobs
There is evidence of difference in level of wealth; some homes had two storeys and a bath – these were probably for the more well off. There were different roles in society such as merchants who brought in valuable raw materials such as lapus lazuli, artisans who used the raw materials to craft fine products, and farmers outside of the cities who produced the food and some materials such as cotton.
The top positions are not known with certainty. The leaders may have been priests (or priest-like), traders or landlords, or a combination. Their wealth was shown through their jewellery and their seals, objects used to sign letters and record trade.
An example of a standard-sized weight that was used by Indus Valley traders and merchants.

5. Seals containing Indus script
Pillar 3 - Writing
Though their script has not been fully deciphered, it is sometimes referred to as Indus script. Some signs have been identified, but no systematic understanding exists, yet. Like many scripts, it changed over time.
Seals containing Indus script

6. Pillar 4 - Monumental Architecture
No palaces have been unearthed by archaeologists. However, the cities of the Indus Valley are very well planned, including much infrastructure devoted to water and sanitation. There were wells for drinking, a waste removal system that collected sewage from houses, stored it and emptied it onto fields for fertilizer.
Water-related ruins at Mohenjo Daro

7. Pillar 5 - Centralized Gov’t
The government structure did not appear to be based on military power. Instead, it is thought that leaders maintained control through religion and trade.
In terms of administrative ability, clearly life was organized for every-day Indus Valley people; the planned nature of the cities and their water and waste-related functions indicate that. One estimate says that Harappa may have had a population of people. That’s a lot of people whose needs have to be taken care of.
Drains leading out from houses in Mohenjo Daro

8. Causes and Consequences
Shifts our focus to
the multiple causes and consequences of events. We ask why and how.

9. Personal Example: How I Got Here (to history class)
Long-term cause (underlying)
Medium-term cause
Short-term cause (trigger)
I have loved history since I was young because I loved hearing stories from my grandmother
I heard other students talk about how helpful and interesting this course was
The bell rang so I ran to class
The Big Six, pages

10. Cause and Consequence Vocabulary
Intended * Decided * Expected * Foresaw * Predicted * Catalyzed * Incited * Kindled * Triggered *Sparked * Lead to * Contributed to * Made possible *Resulted in * Encouraged * Blocked * Prevented * Made worse * Accelerated * Exacerbated * Strengthened * Reinforced * Weakened * Blocked

11. What Happened That Led to This?
Cause:
Consequence:
Insert linking word
Cause:
Consequence:
Insert linking word
Cause:
Consequence:
Insert linking word
Note: multiple causes may lead to one or more consequences. It’s not always so linear. Remember, consequence isn’t a negative word.

12. Wednesday: Theories of Decline Activity
In groups, read the first page that identifies what the original (older) theory was and what evidence for it that existed.
Then, rotate through each of the four theories.
Write questions that you have.
Think about which two theories you want to focus on and which archaeological evidence can be used to support them.

13. Thursday
Continue rotating through the articles.
When you are done do the following:
Given all the evidence, what do you think caused the decline of the Indus Valley civ? (could be a combination of theories)
What physical evidence are you relying on when you make this determination? (use criteria)
What level of certainty do you have (red light, yellow, green)? Use vocabulary accordingly. Note the examples of red light vocabulary on this PPT.
Write your answer in your HTC journal and give to Ms. G by the end of the class. Make sure it’s carefully written.