The Indus Valley civilization flourished from around 3300 BC to 1300 BC along the Indus River valley in what is now Pakistan and northwest India, but many mysteries remain about this ancient society. Scholars have not determined the form of government or how the highly organized cities were managed. They have also not deciphered the writing system used by the Indus people or determined what religious beliefs they followed, as no temples have been found. The greatest mystery is what caused the decline and eventual disappearance of this civilization around 1500 BC, with theories including climate change, flooding, drought, earthquakes, foreign invaders, or economic problems depleting soil fertility and disrupting trade.

1. INDUS VALLEY MYSTERIES:
The artifacts and ruins of buildings found in Indus Valley cities provide a great deal of
information about this ancient civilization, but scholars still have many questions about it. As
you have read, scholars have not learned much about Indus Valley Government. Clearly, the
people were well organized. Yet no evidence has indicated who organized the society and how
they did so.
OTHER MYSTERIES:
Religion is another aspect of the Indus Valley civilization about which little is known. Scholars
have found no sign of temples or priests, although some artifacts suggest links with later
Hinduism. Also , little evidence of war has been found in this region.
In addition, scholars have not yet determined how to read the symbols found on the stone seals
and pottery of the Indus Valley people. Most experts think that there marks are a form of
writing. However, scholars have not successfully determined whether these marks indicate
names, stories, or something else.
The greatest mystery, however, is the cause of the decline of this civilization. Around 1950 B.C.,
The Harapanns began to abandon their cities. By 1500 B.C., the civilization disappeared.
Some historians believe that climate change may have caused the disappearance. In some
areas, heavy flooding may have destroyed cities. IN other, years of drought may have driven
people away. Other types of disaster could also contributed to collapse. Earthquakes or foreign
invaders may have damaged some cities.
Some historians believe that the economic problems led to the decline. After years of heavy
farming, the indus Valley soil may have lost its fertility. Smaller harvest would have harmed the
economy.

2. Troubles in Mesopotamia would probably have hurt trade between the Indus Valley and Sumer.
Such events may have resulted in hard times for both traders and artisansin the Indus Valley.
Whatever the cause of the civilization’s collapse, it would take another thousands years for a
new civilization to take root on the Indian subcontinent.
Activity:
Describe two mysteries
surrounding the Indus Valley
Civilization