When discussing the great civilizations of antiquity, names like the Roman Empire, Ancient Egypt, the Maya, the Incas, Vikings, and Mongols often dominate the conversation. Yet, one civilization that often slips under the radar is the Indus Valley civilization, also known as the Harappan civilization.
Spanning roughly from 3300 BC to 1300 BC, the Harappan people were among the most advanced societies of their time. Their achievements were truly remarkable, pioneering innovations that wouldn’t be rediscovered for many centuries. They were a remarkable people who left an indelible mark on history with their advancements and achievements.
1. They Had No Weapons or Army
One theory surrounding the disappearance of the Indus Valley Civilization suggests they may have been overrun by a foreign military force. However, this hypothesis lacks substantial archaeological support. In fact, current findings indicate that the Indus people likely did not maintain a standing army.
Archaeological excavations have failed to uncover any remnants of weapons, armor, or evidence suggesting widespread conflict. The only depiction resembling battle scenes discovered so far portrays a mythological figure with a goat’s horns and a tiger’s body, not indicative of actual warfare.
Unlike other ancient civilizations, the Indus society did not exhibit clear hierarchies of wealth or power. There were no kings or royalty, nor palaces or depictions of monarchs. Instead, the society appears to have been remarkably egalitarian. Living spaces were uniformly designed without stark contrasts between opulent residences and impoverished slums. All citizens seemingly enjoyed similar standards of living and opportunities, leading many to liken the Indus civilization to a utopia.
2. They Invented Buttons
The humble button, a ubiquitous yet often overlooked fixture in clothing, traces its origins back to the ancient Indus Valley civilization around 2000 BC. Among the artifacts unearthed by archaeologists were buttons crafted from curved shells. These early buttons served primarily as ornamental adornments, worn by individuals of wealth or high social status to display their affluence.
The buttons discovered in the Indus Valley were meticulously drilled using primitive tools of the time and then attached to clothing using thread. They were applied in intricate geometric patterns, resembling more modern decorative elements like rhinestones or sequins rather than functional fasteners for clothing. Despite their decorative nature, the practical use of buttons as fasteners for garments would evolve over time.
3. The Indus Script Remains Undeciphered
Despite the passage of millennia, relics of the Indus Valley civilization persist, offering tantalizing glimpses into their ancient script. Unlike other ancient languages, the Indus script consists of symbols that seem to convey thoughts or ideas, yet the debate over its nature remains unresolved. Scholars are divided on whether it represents a formal language with grammatical structure and syntax, or if the symbols merely convey general concepts without forming a coherent linguistic system.
Thousands of inscriptions have been uncovered, typically comprising short sequences of four or five symbols. Despite extensive efforts, not a single inscription has been successfully translated, leaving the script shrouded in mystery. Complicating matters further, there is no consensus on whether the script evolved into a modern language or if it was purely symbolic in nature.
Attempts to decode the script have been met with significant challenges and controversy. Descendants of the Indus Valley civilization, who lay claim to its cultural heritage, sometimes vehemently oppose research suggesting that their ancestors’ language cannot be deciphered. In some instances, researchers have faced threats for pursuing decipherment efforts.
Many scholars have devoted years to deciphering the script, but none have produced a comprehensive and widely accepted translation. Some theorists argue that the symbols function as emblems, representing general concepts rather than a structured language with precise meanings and grammar. Until a breakthrough occurs in deciphering these ancient symbols, the true nature and linguistic complexity of the Indus script will remain a subject of speculation and scholarly debate.
4. They Had Rudimentary Air Conditioning
Sanitation wasn’t the only advanced comfort of the Indus people; they also pioneered an early form of air conditioning to combat sweltering temperatures. Many homes featured structures known as wind catchers, a technology still utilized in Iran today. These were essentially large stone chimneys extending above homes, designed to capture and channel breezes down into stone chambers within the homes.
Studies have demonstrated that a wind catcher could lower the indoor temperature by up to 10 degrees Celsius (18 degrees Fahrenheit). On a scorching day, this meant a potential decrease from 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) to 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). While still warm, it significantly reduced the discomfort caused by oppressive heat.
5. They Really Liked Unicorns
In the artifacts and symbols unearthed from the ancient Indus Valley civilization, unicorns emerge as a prominent motif. They are perhaps the most frequently depicted mythical creatures in the region.
Scholars have speculated that these unicorn-like creatures may actually represent nilgai, a type of Asian antelope also known as a blue cow. However, unlike real nilgai which have two horns, the creatures depicted in Indus Valley artifacts are shown with a single horn, suggesting a mythological interpretation akin to the unicorn.
The exact significance of these unicorn symbols remains elusive due to the unresolved challenge of deciphering the ancient Indus script. Many of the seals and inscriptions featuring unicorns also depict elements like trees and plants, hinting at possible connections to themes of agriculture, fertility, or other related concepts. Until the script can be deciphered with certainty, the true meaning of these unicorn symbols in the context of the Indus civilization will continue to be a subject of speculation and intrigue.
6. They Had Advanced Dentistry
The earliest dentists of the Indus Valley civilization were likely held in high esteem for their pioneering dental practices, which included the use of a primitive dental drill—an innovation that has left its mark in archaeological findings. Dating back approximately 7,500 to 9,000 years, evidence from eleven teeth belonging to nine individuals reveals distinct drill holes.
These ancient dentists probably utilized a bow drill, similar to those used for crafting beads and buttons, to perform dental procedures. Remarkably, the wear patterns on the teeth indicate that the drilling was conducted while the individuals were alive, suggesting a level of dental care that extended beyond mere burial rites.
While the precise effectiveness of these procedures in treating cavities or whether any form of anesthesia was utilized remains unclear, the existence of such early dental interventions underscores the advanced knowledge and skills of the Indus Valley civilization in healthcare practices. These early dentists laid foundational practices that would evolve over millennia, influencing the field of dentistry as we know it today.
7. They May Have Invented Dice Games
Dice, integral to tabletop gaming and recreational activities like craps and Yahtzee, may trace their origins back to the ancient Indus Valley civilization. Excavations in the city of Harappa unearthed a remarkable discovery: a six-sided cubical die adorned with dots on each face, ranging from one to six. This die bears a striking resemblance to modern gaming dice, though it differs in the arrangement of its dots. Unlike contemporary dice, where opposite sides always total seven (e.g., 6 opposite 1, 5 opposite 2), the Indus die pairs 1 with 2, 3 with 4, and so forth.
Additionally, numerous dice were uncovered in Mohenjo-daro, often found in pairs of identical size, indicating deliberate craftsmanship and design. These findings suggest that the Indus Valley people not only engaged in gaming but also possessed the skill and precision to create standardized dice, laying a foundational precedent for the use of dice in gaming and probability calculations that continues to this day.
8. They Mastered Flush Toilets
Toilets have a complex and varied history, with innovations that have seen many changes over time. Contrary to popular belief, the flush toilet was not invented by Thomas Crapper. Europeans used chamber pots for a long time before more sophisticated systems emerged. However, thousands of years ago, during the Indus Valley Civilization, remarkable advancements in plumbing and sanitation were achieved that wouldn’t be surpassed for millennia.
The Indus Valley cities like Mohenjo-daro were exceptionally advanced in their plumbing systems. They drew water from over 700 wells, providing homes with running water and even featuring bathhouses throughout the town. In Harappa, the capital city, every house had toilets that were connected to a public sewer system, showcasing an unprecedented level of sanitation infrastructure for its time.
9. They Had the World’s Oldest Public Pool
The Great Bath of Mohenjo-daro, dating back approximately 5,000 years, stands as one of the earliest known public pools in human history. Situated within the ancient city’s citadel, this remarkable structure measures about 39 feet by 23 feet and reaches a depth of under eight feet. What’s most impressive is its enduring preservation over millennia, contributing to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Despite its age and significance, the exact purpose of the Great Bath remains a subject of scholarly debate. While it could have served as a leisure facility for swimming, its location within the citadel suggests broader ceremonial or religious functions. Some theories propose that it played a role in rituals or purification ceremonies, possibly associated with religious practices of the time. Others speculate it might have housed priests who utilized the bath in their rituals.
Regardless of its precise function, the construction of a waterproof tank for the pool reflects advanced engineering skills of the Indus Valley civilization. The Great Bath continues to fascinate archaeologists and historians alike, offering insights into the social, religious, and technological advancements of one of the world’s earliest urban societies.
10. Their Disappearance is a Mystery
The mystery of the Indus Valley Civilization’s demise remains one of history’s enduring puzzles. Unlike many other great civilizations that have left behind extensive historical records, the Indus people vanished without leaving clear explanations for their decline.
Discovered only in 1920, the city of Harappa offered a glimpse into the advanced society that thrived from approximately 3300 BC to 1300 BC. However, the reasons behind its collapse are shrouded in uncertainty.
Various theories attempt to explain the civilization’s downfall. Overcrowding appears evident as homes were built atop older structures, suggesting urban congestion. Trade routes to Mesopotamia, crucial for commerce, likely faltered due to disruptions in that region.
Another plausible scenario involves environmental factors. Changes in climate and geography could have played pivotal roles. The Indus River, vital for sustenance and trade, might have shifted course, causing catastrophic flooding. Concurrently, other rivers may have dried up, precipitating widespread famine and disease.
Confronted with such challenges, the people of the Indus Valley might have faced a stark choice: migrate to more hospitable regions or succumb to the harsh realities of their altered environment. Whatever the precise cause, the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization marks a poignant reminder of the fragility of even the most advanced societies in the face of environmental change and societal pressures.
