The Indus Valley civilization left it's mark not only in these great unearthed cities, but also through trade. Objects of Harrapan origin have been found in Mesopotamia, Dilmun, modern day Afghanistan, other parts of India and it's possible that some of their renown artwork made it's way into ancient Iran. But it is the building or architectural details of this city that truly stand out, even amongst the ancient world. The city center and surrounding towns were built with brick that is consistent for miles in each direction signalling the Harrapans as having building standards in place, and a supporting government to institute them. Each city block is centered on a grid, a remarkably perfect grid, that is boggling historians minds even today. Their ancient city planning skills were obviously well honed and a brisk trade in architects must have been evident.

In Mesopotamian archives of trade relations with the Harrapans mention is made of them being a water-oriented peoples. Great baths have been found, and possibly societal structure evolved around that, much like the Romans.

This region of modern day Pakistan and northern India was a great farmland and well suited to the Indus agricultural peoples. Seated below the great mountain ranges of the north, their rivers flowed through the land and continually deposited rich soil as they passed. The Indus valley itself is bordered by the great Indus river from which it takes it's name, but there was once another great river to the west; the Ghaggra-Hakra or Sarasvati River. It dried up in ancient times, and archaeologists are just now tracing it's ancient route.

Though we've only mentioned Harrapa and here, Mohenjodaro, the scope of the Indus Valley Civilization spread much wider than that. There is Rakhigarhi in India, Ganeriwala in Punjab Pakistan near the Indian border, Lothal located far into India near the Arabian Sea ,Dholavira and others being discovered continually. This broadens the scope of the civilization and each new city unearthed directs us to seek information on it's surrounding landscape. This broader landscape means that the Harrapa had access to gold mining, copper mining and possibly a source for carnelian and other semi-precious stones as seen in their Jewelry. Silver and turquoise were also present in the region but as yet no evident use of these metals/stones have been found.

Because both great cities of the Indus, Mohenjodaro and Harrapa have remains that tell us each of these cities were built on older, destroyed cities, we must assume that not only were they great and dedicated builders but dealt with the never-ending cycle of nature's force. Historians believe that both of these great life-sustaining rivers were prone to heavy flooding.

This cycle of building, destruction and rebuilding likely played a part in it's decline. New theories abound as to the migration of these peoples, and recorded in the Rig Veda (great epic tale of early Aryan period origin) detail accounts of clashes with a northern peoples into southern India by the Aryans.

Were these ancient peoples the Harrapa? We can only count on time to tell, as new research is being done as we speak into unlocking the key to understanding the Indus Valley Civilization's script (found on pottery and tablets).

For now we must make do with what information we do have, but this enables us to experience the lives of these people with the brush of our own imagination. How would your life be in ancient India? Would you be one of it's talented artisans? A dancer? A trader braving the seas and landroutes to provide for your family? Or a farmer, or government official? Evidence hints that even beauticians may have been an important occupation! Play a role of your choosing and venture into the Indus Valley Civilization.

Pakistan has created an organization directly responsible for continued excavations and research into it's mysterious and ancient ancestral peoples of the Indus. This organization, HARP is still working and finding new articles and even whole cities with each passing year. We will add updates as they come in, and if you have additional information please contact your resident Indus Valley caretakers.

Harrapa.com
UCLA -Manas:History and Politics,Indus Valley
ancient India.co
The Ancient Indus Valley Civilization
Indus Valley at hindunet.org