Indus River Valley Bell Ringer Which Mesopotamian invention

Indus River Valley

Bell Ringer Which Mesopotamian invention do you think is most important? irrigation wheel sailboat plow cuneiform calendar

Ancient India Map Activity: l Hand in your Venn-Diagram and thesis statements l Use book – page 42 l Use colored pencils to complete map activity

Indus Valley (2500 – 1500 BCE)

The Indian Subcontinent Hindu-Kush & Himalaya Mts. l Natural barrier between Huang He and Indus RVC Located near 2 rivers – Indus and Ganges

Monsoons of India Monsoons are seasonal winds that blow across the subcontinent. Winter – blows from North & West; bring cool, dry air l Summer – blow from South & East; bring hot moist air; rainy season l

Evidence People settled around 3000 BCE writing undeciphered must rely on archaeology and artifacts

Harappan Culture Written language – pictograms Little division in social class l Similar housing l Extra goods (children’s toys) Strong central government – theocracy; similar to later Hindu tradition

Seal from Mohenjo-Daro

Cities Harappa & Mohenjo-Daro well-planned grid pattern standard size bricks, extensive plumbing system uniform weights & measures

Mohenjo - Daro

Set of weights from Harappa

Economy Farming: grew wheat, barley, melons, dates Trading: cotton cloth, grain, copper, pearls, ivory Trade with other cultures including those in Mesopotamia is evident (soapstone seals found in Sumer)

Religion polytheistic included a mother goddess of creation -- Shiva sacred animals

Disappearance What Happened to Harrapa? ? ? l Examine theories in groups Use your textbook p. 45 “Mysterious End to Indus…” l Name each of theories l Identify key points of each theory l l As l l an Individual: Use key points of each theory to write your own theory of what happened to the Harrapa Use notes to back up your theory

Disappearance Theories damage to environment l volcano eruption blocks Indus l earthquake l Nomadic invaders overrun Indus valley l l Aryans (c. a. 1500 BCE)

Tour of Harappa: http: //www. harappa. com/indus 0. ht ml

Aryan Civilization (1500 – 500 BCE)

Aryans an Indo-European people invaded India through Khyber Pass Vedas – prayers, hymns, religious teachings

Society divided by occupation Brahmins – priests l Kshatriyas – warriors l Vaisyas – herders, farmers, artisans, merchants l Sudras – Dravidians, non. Aryans, laborers, servants l