By far the best evidence to ascertain the date of Harappan civilizatio...
- Based on recent discoveries, there is reason to think the Indus Valley civilization may be at least 8,000 years old and this would also mean the Indus Valley civilization pre-dates Egypt’s pharaohs and Mesopotamia that is often mentioned as the cradle of human civilization.
- The Indus Valley civilization is one of the greatest and the least known early civilizations of the Old World.
- For hundreds of years, the Indus Valley civilization have troubled the world of archaeology and perhaps the only chance to learn the secrets of these people is to decipher the Indus script.
- Some of these secrets we already know. Harappans’ technological achievements are still recognizable today.
- Evidence shows that the Indus Valley people were both sophisticated and technologically advanced, they were very talented in many areas of science, technology and engineering. They developed new techniques in metallurgy and production of copper, bronze, lead and tin was possible because Harappans were skilled metallurgists who used several techniques in their work.
View all questions of this test
By far the best evidence to ascertain the date of Harappan civilizatio...
Harappan civilization, also known as the Indus Valley civilization, was one of the world's earliest urban civilizations, flourishing around 2500 BCE in the region that is now modern-day Pakistan and western India. The civilization left behind a rich archaeological record that provides valuable insights into their way of life, trade networks, and cultural practices. While there are various sources of evidence to ascertain the date of the Harappan civilization, the best evidence is the presence of Harappan seals in Mesopotamia.
The Harappan seals were small, square or rectangular objects made of terracotta or steatite (a soft stone). They were intricately carved with various motifs, including animals, humans, and script-like symbols. These seals were used for a variety of purposes, including marking ownership, indicating authority, and sealing containers or packages.
The presence of Harappan seals in Mesopotamia, which is located in modern-day Iraq, provides a strong indication of the time period in which the Harappan civilization existed. Mesopotamia was home to several ancient civilizations, such as the Sumerians and Akkadians, who had established trade networks with the Harappan civilization. The presence of Harappan seals in Mesopotamia suggests that there was active trade and cultural exchange between the two regions.
The Mesopotamian seals found in Harappa further confirm the existence of these trade networks. These seals, which were made by the Mesopotamians, were found in Harappa and other Harappan sites. This indicates that goods and ideas were flowing between the two regions, further supporting the idea of an interconnected and thriving civilization.
The presence of Harappan seals in Mesopotamia and Mesopotamian seals in Harappa provides a cross-cultural link and helps archaeologists establish a chronological framework for the Harappan civilization. Studying the context in which these seals were found, such as their association with other artifacts or structures, can provide additional clues about the time period in which they were used.
In conclusion, the presence of Harappan seals in Mesopotamia and Mesopotamian seals in Harappa is the best evidence to ascertain the date of the Harappan civilization. These seals provide valuable insights into the trade networks and cultural exchanges of the time, helping archaeologists establish a chronological framework for this ancient civilization.
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed UPSC study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in UPSC.