History: Harappa and the Earliest Cities

Flashcards covering the discovery, architecture, life, and decline of the Harappan civilization as described in the lecture notes.

How many years ago did engineers first stumble upon the site of Harappa during railway construction?

Nearly $150$ years ago.

Where was the site of Harappa located when it was first discovered by engineers?

In present-day Pakistan (Punjab).

When did archaeologists finally find and recognize Harappa as one of the oldest cities in the subcontinent?

About $80$ years ago.

How many years ago did the Harappan cities develop?

About $4700$ years ago.

In Harappan city planning, what is the name for the smaller but higher part located to the west?

The citadel.

What is the larger but lower part of a Harappan city, located to the east, called?

The lower town.

How were the baked bricks of Harappan walls arranged to make them strong?

In an interlocking pattern.

Which unique objects have archaeologists found in almost all Harappan cities?

Red pottery painted with designs in black, stone weights, seals, special beads, copper tools, and paralleled sided long stone blades.

What was the Great Bath in Mohenjodaro made of to ensure it was water-tight?

It was lined with bricks, coated with plaster, and sealed with a layer of natural tar.

In which Harappan cities have fire altars been found?

Kalibangan and Lothal.

What feature did Harappan city drains have to ensure water could flow through them?

A gentle slope.

What were Harappan stone weights made of?

Chert.

What red stone was used to make beads in Harappan cities?

Carnelian.

How many years ago was cotton probably first grown at Mehrgarh?

About $7000$ years ago.

What is Faience?

A material artificially produced by using a gum to shape sand or powdered quartz into an object, which was then glazed.

From where did the Harappans probably obtain copper?

Present-day Rajasthan and Oman.

Which two places did the Harappans likely source tin from to produce bronze?

Present-day Afghanistan and Iran.

From where did the Harappans get their gold?

Present-day Karnataka.

What transition in farming tools allowed the Harappans to turn the soil and plant seeds?

The use of the plough.

How did the layout of Dholavira differ from most other Harappan cities?

Dholavira was divided into three parts, whereas others were typically divided into two.

Where was the city of Lothal situated?

Beside a tributary of the Sabarmati in Gujarat, close to the Gulf of Khambat.

What is a sealing?

The impression of a seal on wet clay.

When did the major change leading to the end of Harappan cities begin?

Around $3900$ years ago.

What were some possible causes for the decline of the Harappan cities?

Rivers drying up, deforestation (due to fuel needs for baking bricks and smelting), overgrazing by cattle, and flooding.