Mohenjo-Daro

Definition

Mohenjo-Daro is an ancient city of the Indus Valley Civilization, located in present-day Pakistan, known for its advanced urban planning, architecture, and drainage systems. This archaeological site represents one of the earliest examples of a sophisticated urban settlement, showcasing the ingenuity and complexity of a civilization that thrived around 2500 BCE.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Mohenjo-Daro was built around 2500 BCE and is one of the largest settlements of the Indus Valley Civilization.
2. The city featured a grid layout with well-defined streets, sophisticated drainage systems, and public baths, indicating advanced engineering skills.
3. Archaeological findings include seals with animal motifs and inscriptions, suggesting a form of writing and trade activities.
4. Mohenjo-Daro's decline around 1900 BCE is attributed to various factors including possible climate change, flooding, and resource depletion.
5. The site was rediscovered in the 1920s, providing crucial insights into the social, economic, and cultural aspects of the Indus Valley Civilization.

Review Questions

• What aspects of urban planning in Mohenjo-Daro reflect the sophistication of the Indus Valley Civilization?
  • The urban planning in Mohenjo-Daro showcases remarkable sophistication through its grid layout, wide streets, and organized residential and public areas. The presence of advanced drainage systems indicates an understanding of sanitation and public health. Additionally, structures like the Great Bath suggest a focus on communal activities and ritual practices. These features highlight not only the engineering skills but also the social organization of a highly developed civilization.
• Discuss how the discovery of Mohenjo-Daro has contributed to our understanding of ancient trade networks in the Indus Valley Civilization.
  • The discovery of Mohenjo-Daro has significantly enhanced our understanding of ancient trade networks by revealing evidence such as seals that likely facilitated trade with neighboring regions. The presence of specialized craft areas within the city indicates production for trade purposes. Furthermore, artifacts found at Mohenjo-Daro suggest connections with other contemporary civilizations like Mesopotamia, highlighting its role as a trading hub within a complex economic system.
• Evaluate the reasons behind the decline of Mohenjo-Daro and its implications for understanding the broader trends in ancient civilizations.
  • The decline of Mohenjo-Daro around 1900 BCE is linked to several interrelated factors such as climate change leading to droughts, shifts in river patterns causing flooding, and potential resource depletion. Analyzing these reasons provides insights into how environmental challenges can impact urban centers. This situation reflects broader trends seen in other ancient civilizations where ecological factors often played a crucial role in societal changes and eventual declines, emphasizing the vulnerability of human settlements to environmental shifts.

Related terms

Indus Valley Civilization: An ancient civilization that flourished in the northwestern region of South Asia, characterized by well-planned cities, trade networks, and a writing system that remains undeciphered.

Urban Planning: The design and organization of city layouts, infrastructure, and public spaces to optimize living conditions and facilitate trade, as demonstrated in the layout of Mohenjo-Daro.

Harappa: Another major city of the Indus Valley Civilization, known for similar urban planning and architectural features as Mohenjo-Daro, contributing to our understanding of this ancient society.