If you were a historian writing on the Indus Valley civilization, how would you describe this society without the benefit of a deciphered written language?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

ANSWER:
Students should use this question to explore the tools historians use to work on ancient civilizations, as well as the impediments they face. Because the Indus Valley civilization had a written language that is undeciphered, students should recognize the difficulties this presents and explain what other evidence is available. They should discuss the geography of the region and what clues this offers the historian. For example, rivers, ocean access, and particularly mountain ranges all shape the history of a region. When the geography supports intensive cultivation, city life and civilization are possible. The excavations of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa are also fertile sources of information on this society. Although the identity of the people who lived there isn't certain, the design and construction of the cities suggest the existence of a central government. Natural resources, crafts, and metals can also be discovered. Trade contacts through the Persian Gulf are also evident, although we know little about the Indus Valley religious, social, economic, and political structures. The reasons for the decline of this civilization are also unclear. There is speculation that a natural disaster such as an earthquake or flood may have been responsible.