Indus River Valley Civilization Key Terms

City Planning

Harappan cities were carefully planned, with streets that run along a grid-like pattern.

Clay Seals

Harappans traders used clay seals as labels in trade. They mostly depicted pictures of bulls and unicorns.

Harappan achievements

Some Harrapan achievements include public baths in the cities, large graneries, indoor plumbing, uniform weights and measures, and carefully planned cities.

5 Theories of Harappan Decline

The 5 theories of Harappan decline are Ω a huge massacre, Ω climate change, Ω Indus river direction change, Ω Loss of minerals, and Ω a theory contradicting the massacre theory.

Great Bath

The Great Bath was a public bath in the center of the Harappan city.

Weights and Measures

The Harappan civilization were the first to use weights and measures to help in giving prices for trade.

Sewer system

The Harappan sewer system was a drain running from wealthy homes into the ground and water flowed through it to provide a type of plumbing.

Wind Facing Buildings

The Indus river valley civilizations had their building facing which way the wind blew so it created a type of early air-conditioning.

Harappan society

They had a written language that hasn't yet been translated so far and they lived in houses made out of mud bricks. There seemed to have a centralized government in the Harappan civilization and seals found suggested trade with other nations.