Writing and Seals
The Harappans had a system of hieroglyphic writing that allowed for records to be made. Unfortunately researchers have been unable to decipher it. Any information they could get from records is simply out of reach for now and most of what we do know is inferred from artifacts. One of the items with writing we have found is a series of seals. One features what appears to be a male deity controlling a water buffalo and a tiger, and the other has a female deity with two men fighting in front of her. These seals seem to be of religious significance in an official context.
Urban centers
One of the most unique and impressive features of the Harappan civilization were the urban centers. These were well organized and advanced sites that developed from agricultural communities to massive populations. Harappa had as many as 80,000 citizens and Mohenjo-Daro had 35,000. Most often they had a highly regulated commercial district and a residential district. These were built on high mud/ brick platforms to escape the regular flooding of the Indus River. Streets were brick paved and well drained as well as being set up in a grid pattern. Using the Indus they were able to get running water into most structures including public baths, and then a covered sewer system took it away. This utility being uncommon well into medieval times, the Harappans were very advanced. Most structures were private homes and workshops, but there were a number of public buildings in any one city. These include the famous public baths, granaries, assembly halls, ritual tanks and even colleges.
Trade/Economics
The base of the economy was farming, mostly for wheat and barley. After the urban centers began to develop job specialization widened the scope and variety of the economy. Brick makers, builders, and potters are among the best examples. They also had administrators, religious leaders, and other forms of craftsman. Most work within cities would take place in the commercial district in workshops. Outside of the grains the Harappans likely produced rice, peas, various fruits, and cotton. Animals domesticated include sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, and chickens. Coastal cities seem to have traded fish inland.
Trade for metals was conducted with the inhabitants of central Asia. They also had a strong seafaring trade with the Mesopotamians, who also provided metals and minerals. The Indus people would send mostly cotton and food products but also artistic items like statues. With the materials they import the Harappans were able to produce metal tools, jewelry, pottery, and other
ceramics
Religion
Based on the prominence of polytheistic religions in the region it is assumed that the Harappans had a similar system. The seals that were found also led researchers to believe that they had worshiped male and female deities that had great control over the natural world. Many times these deities are shown wearing horned headdresses suggesting the importance of horned animals. The
male deity is thought to be a forerunner of what would become Shiva in Hinduism. There were also a number of terracotta statues of “Mother Goddesses” found suggesting an importance of women in Harappan society.
Ceremonies for this religion likely included rites, processions,
offering, and shamanistic passages. Water would have played a prominent role in
ceremonies for ritual purification and its significance to the culture in the
form of irrigation. Public baths in urban centers also hint at
this.
The Harappans had a system of hieroglyphic writing that allowed for records to be made. Unfortunately researchers have been unable to decipher it. Any information they could get from records is simply out of reach for now and most of what we do know is inferred from artifacts. One of the items with writing we have found is a series of seals. One features what appears to be a male deity controlling a water buffalo and a tiger, and the other has a female deity with two men fighting in front of her. These seals seem to be of religious significance in an official context.
Urban centers
One of the most unique and impressive features of the Harappan civilization were the urban centers. These were well organized and advanced sites that developed from agricultural communities to massive populations. Harappa had as many as 80,000 citizens and Mohenjo-Daro had 35,000. Most often they had a highly regulated commercial district and a residential district. These were built on high mud/ brick platforms to escape the regular flooding of the Indus River. Streets were brick paved and well drained as well as being set up in a grid pattern. Using the Indus they were able to get running water into most structures including public baths, and then a covered sewer system took it away. This utility being uncommon well into medieval times, the Harappans were very advanced. Most structures were private homes and workshops, but there were a number of public buildings in any one city. These include the famous public baths, granaries, assembly halls, ritual tanks and even colleges.
Trade/Economics
The base of the economy was farming, mostly for wheat and barley. After the urban centers began to develop job specialization widened the scope and variety of the economy. Brick makers, builders, and potters are among the best examples. They also had administrators, religious leaders, and other forms of craftsman. Most work within cities would take place in the commercial district in workshops. Outside of the grains the Harappans likely produced rice, peas, various fruits, and cotton. Animals domesticated include sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, and chickens. Coastal cities seem to have traded fish inland.
Trade for metals was conducted with the inhabitants of central Asia. They also had a strong seafaring trade with the Mesopotamians, who also provided metals and minerals. The Indus people would send mostly cotton and food products but also artistic items like statues. With the materials they import the Harappans were able to produce metal tools, jewelry, pottery, and other
ceramics
Religion
Based on the prominence of polytheistic religions in the region it is assumed that the Harappans had a similar system. The seals that were found also led researchers to believe that they had worshiped male and female deities that had great control over the natural world. Many times these deities are shown wearing horned headdresses suggesting the importance of horned animals. The
male deity is thought to be a forerunner of what would become Shiva in Hinduism. There were also a number of terracotta statues of “Mother Goddesses” found suggesting an importance of women in Harappan society.
Ceremonies for this religion likely included rites, processions,
offering, and shamanistic passages. Water would have played a prominent role in
ceremonies for ritual purification and its significance to the culture in the
form of irrigation. Public baths in urban centers also hint at
this.