Indus Valley Civilization: Technological Advancements

The Indus Valley Civilization also known as the Harappan Civilization flourished in the
Bronze Age (3300-1300 BCE) stretching over modern-day Northeast Afghanistan far off to
Northwest India. It prospered alongside the fertile flood plains of the Indus River and its vicinity.
The greater Indus region was home to the largest of the four ancient urban civilizations of that time
period: Egypt, Mesopotamia, South Asia and China. Excavations in the Indus Valley begun around
the 1920’s and though most of the cities still remain yet to be deciphered, the already present
discoveries suggest this Civilization to be a very technologically advanced and sophisticated of its
era. Until 1999, over 1,056 cities and settlements had been found, of which 96 have been excavated.
Among the settlements were the major urban centers of Harappa, Mohenjo-daro Dholavira, and
Rakhigarhi.

Examining the evidences, the Indus Valley Civilization can be divided into three phases; The
Early Harappan Ravi Phase, named after the nearby Ravi River, lasted from 3300 BCE until 2800
BCE. Early Harappan communities turned to large urban centers by 2600 BCE, from where the
mature Harappan phase started. By 2600 BCE, the Early Harappan communities had been turned
into large urban centers

When it comes to the technological advancements, two cities excavated at the sites of
Mohenjo-Daro on the lower Indus, and at Harappa, suggest that they had a highly developed city
life. Individual homes or groups of homes received water from wells. A separate room set aside for
the purpose of washing and bathing had connections underground that directed waste water to
covered drains, which lined the major streets. Houses opened only to inner courtyards and smaller
lanes. The ancient Indus systems of sewage and drainage that were developed and used in cities
throughout the Indus Empire were far more advanced than any found in contemporary urban sites
in the Middle East and even more efficient than those in some areas of modern Pakistan and India
today. The advanced architecture of the Harappans is shown by their impressive dockyards,
granaries, warehouses, brick platforms, and protective walls. The massive citadels of Indus cities
that protected the Harappans from floods and attackers were larger than most Mesopotamian
ziggurats. The social condition of the citizens was superior to the contemporary Babylonians and
Egyptians. These cities display a well-planned urbanization system

The people of the Indus River Valley Civilization achieved many notable advances in technology,
including great accuracy in their systems and tools for measuring length and mass. Fire-baked
bricks—which were uniform in size and moisture-resistant—were important in building baths and
sewage structures and are evidence that Harappans were among the first to develop a system of
standardized weights and measures. The consistency of brick size across cities also suggests unity
across the various urban areas, which is evidence of a broader civilization. Harappans are also
known for seal carving— the cutting of patterns into the bottom face of a seal, a small, carved object
used for stamping. They used these distinctive seals for the identification of property and to stamp
clay on trade goods. Seals—decorated with animal figures, such as elephants, tigers, and water
buffalos—have been one of the most commonly discovered artifacts in Indus Valley cities.
Inhabitants of the ancient Indus River Valley developed new techniques in metallurgy. Harappans
also performed intricate handicraft using products made of the semi-precious gemstone Carnelian.
Evidence shows Harappans participated in a vast maritime—sea—trade network extending from
Central Asia to the Middle East. The civilization's economy appears to have depended significantly
on trade, which was facilitated by major advances in transport technology. The Harappan
Civilization may have been the first to use wheeled transport, in the form of oxcarts that are
identical to those seen throughout South Asia today. It also appears they built boats and watercraft.
Another attribute the Indus Civilization can be recognized by was having a writing system which
though today still remains a mystery, but nevertheless represents a learned and sophisticated
society where communication was not just limited to Sonics.

Looking at the structures left, one gets the impression of a vast middle-class society. A
beautiful small bronze statue of a dancer was found, which tells us that they enjoyed dance and had
great skill working with metals. Some of the toys found were small carts, whistles shaped like birds
and toy monkeys which could slide down a string. The Indus Valley had marvelous craftsmen,
skilled in pottery, weaving, and metal working. Various sculptures, seals, pottery, gold jewelry, and
anatomically detailed figurines in terracotta, bronze, steatite have been found at the excavation
sites. The pottery that has been found is of very high quality, with unusually beautiful designs.
Several small figures of animals, such as monkeys, have been found. These small figures could be
objects of art or toys.

The Indus Valley Civilization declined around 1800 BCE, and scholars debate which factors
resulted in the civilization’s demise. Many scholars believe that the collapse of the Indus Valley
Civilization was caused by climate change. Some experts believe the drying of the River, was the
main cause for climate change, while others conclude that a great flood struck the area. By 1800
BCE, the Indus Valley climate grew cooler and drier, and a tectonic event may have diverted or
disrupted river systems, which were the lifelines of the Indus Valley Civilization. The Harappans
may have migrated toward the Ganges basin in the east, where they could have established villages
and isolated farms. These small communities would not have been able to produce the same
agricultural surpluses to support large cities. With the reduced production of goods, there would
have been a decline in trade with Egypt and Mesopotamia. By around 1700 BCE, most of the Indus
Valley Civilization cities had been abandoned. But whatever the real reasons for the Indus Valley’s
decline were, all evidences suggest that this civilization has been one of the best and the most
advanced of all times in all aspects whether it was lifestyle or Infrastructure.