For many people, the term “early civilizations” is thought to be about those who lived in Egypt and Mesopotamia and their construction of the pyramids and burying mummies in golden tombs. But, there is more to early civilizations than pyramids and golden tombs. About 5000 years ago in the Indus River floodplain, an important civilization was developed, known as the Indus Valley Civilization. The discovery of this early civilization in South Asia proved that Mesopotamia and Egypt weren’t the only early civilizations.
How the Indus Valley Civilization Lived
The Indus Valley Civilization contained more than 1000 cities and settlements, all well-organized and built from brick and stone. The drainage systems, water storage systems, and water wells were the most sophisticated in this ancient world. The Indus Valley Civilization also developed beneficial systems for weight and trade. The people of the Indus Valley Civilization made games, toys for their children, and jewelry for personal use and income. They also developed a writing system used for hundreds of years; unfortunately, unlike many other ancient civilizations, their words can’t be deciphered, so we can’t read what they wrote.
What the Indus Valley Civilization Did Not Concern Themselves With
Unlike the Egyptians and Mesopotamians, the Indus Valley Civilization did not build significant monuments or bury gold and riches with the dead in golden tombs. The Indus Valley Civilization didn’t have emperors or mummies and no bloody battles in their territory. Instead, while other civilizations were devoting their resources and time to the supernatural and the rich, the inhabitants of the Indus Valley were focused on taking a practical approach to the comfort and well-being of the living people. There were citadels and large walls but no evidence of palaces, temples, or monuments.
Learning about the Indus Valley Civilizations is a great way to demonstrate to students that not all ancient civilizations consisted of the same behaviors, housing styles, and beliefs. One of the easiest ways to encourage learning about Indus Valley Civilizations is with flip cards and online study guides, both of which will help students recognize specific features of this civilization and memorize dates, locations, and exciting information about the civilizations of the Indus Valley.
Individual sets are available in both English and Spanish on Teachers Pay Teachers. Click on the following link.
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Individual sets are available in English and Spanish on Teachers Pay Teachers and Etsy. Click on the following link.
