What Was Life Like In Harappan, Home Of The Indus Valley Script?

Around 5,700 years ago, the mysterious Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) emerged in what is now modern-day northern India and Pakistan. Known for its enigmatic writing system and massive walled cities, this ancient culture disappeared as mysteriously as it appeared, leaving behind many unanswered questions. Researchers are now beginning to uncover clues about life in this ancient realm.

One of the most famous settlements of the IVC was the bustling city of Harappa, which thrived from approximately 3700 to 1300 BCE. Archaeologists have unearthed numerous examples of the Indus Valley Script within its walls, a form of early writing that remains undeciphered to this day.

Recently, the Indian government made headlines by offering a $1 million prize to anyone who can crack the code of this ancient script, hoping to gain insight into the lost civilization. While the prize remains unclaimed, a new study has shed light on the social structure and daily activities of Harappa during its peak.

Researchers analyzed over a thousand samples of ancient plant remains found at the site, revealing a high proportion of grain compared to chaff. This suggests that food processing likely took place outside the city by a large workforce before being brought to Harappa in a processed form to feed the urban population.

Contrary to previous beliefs that crops were processed within individual households, the study suggests that food processing was centralized at village sites and controlled by the urban centers of the IVC. Additionally, the presence of weed seeds in Harappa is attributed to the cultural practice of burning cattle dung for fuel, a practice that provided a steady source of heat for cooking and other purposes.

While these findings provide some insight into the ancient practices of Harappa, much remains unknown about the daily lives, language, and religious beliefs of its inhabitants. With the incentive of the million-dollar prize, researchers hope to uncover more secrets of this fascinating civilization. The study detailing these findings has been published in the journal Antiquity.