Characteristics and Hypotheses of the World's First Cities

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What did Alexander Cunningham conclude about the seal discovered during his excavations at Harappa?

It was inscribed with writing from the 4th century BCE.

It was a foreign seal due to the absence of a hump on the bull depicted. (correct)

It was a seal used by the local rulers of Harappa.

It belonged to the Macedonian army of Alexander the Great.

Which of the following best describes Alexander Burnes' understanding of the significance of Harappa during his visit?

He identified it as a key archaeological site for the East India Company.

He thought it was the location of a major battle between Alexander and Porus.

He believed it was just an ordinary village without any historical significance.

He found it to be an important site but was clueless about its precise significance. (correct)

Why were the mounds of Harappa badly disturbed when Alexander Cunningham revisited in 1872?

Railway contractors were extracting free bricks from the site. (correct)

Natural erosion had caused significant damage to the mounds.

Tribal invaders had looted the remains from the mounds.

Excavations by previous archaeologists had disrupted the site.

Why were the officers of the Archaeological Survey of India unenthusiastic about Harappa and Mohenjodaro in the early 20th century?

They believed that the sites had already been extensively explored and nothing significant remained. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the significant differences between Harappan sites mentioned in the text?

Variation in the layout of settlements Signup and view all the answers

Which site had a very low percentage of black-on-red Harappan pottery finds?

Allahdino Signup and view all the answers

What was a feature of the mud-brick platforms in the southern part of the citadel complex at Kalibangan?

'Fire altars' Signup and view all the answers

According to Leshnik, what did he suggest the dockyard at Lothal was actually?

An irrigation reservoir Signup and view all the answers

Why are recent excavations at Harappan sites significant?

For careful analysis of cultural sequence and residential areas Signup and view all the answers

What do the debates about the Harappan civilization reflect according to the text?

Importance of interpretation and differing theories Signup and view all the answers

What was John Marshall's role in the discovery of the Indus or Harappan civilization?

He made the formal announcement of the discovery in 1924. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of Marshall's announcement of the Indus or Harappan civilization discovery?

It placed the Indus civilization contemporary with Mesopotamia and Egypt. Signup and view all the answers

What did Childe consider as the result and symbol of a new economic stage in society?

The urban revolution Signup and view all the answers

According to Childe, what characterized the city as a symbol of revolution?

A slow culmination of social and economic changes Signup and view all the answers

What was one objection raised regarding V.Gordon Childe's criteria for defining cities?

They included features occasionally found outside urban contexts. Signup and view all the answers

Which ancient civilizations were noted for not having true cities or a system of true writing?

Mayan civilization of Mesoamerica and Mycenaean civilization of Greece Signup and view all the answers

What did Childe identify as the distinguishing characteristics of the first cities?

Exact sciences and predictive arts Signup and view all the answers

'Urbanization' and 'civilization' are often referred to as synonymous because:

'Urbanization' typically involves cities and writing, which are associated with 'civilization'. Signup and view all the answers

'Urbanization' means:

'The emergence of cities.' Signup and view all the answers

'Civilization' is more abstract than 'urbanization' because it refers to a specific cultural stage generally associated with:

'Cities and writing.' Signup and view all the answers

What is a key advantage of the concentration of population in a city, as mentioned in the text?

Enhanced protection and security Signup and view all the answers

Apart from political decisions and military strategies, what other activities were typically conducted in cities according to the text?

Artistic and cultural activities Signup and view all the answers

What kind of factors are suggested to have played a role in the emergence of cities?

Social, political, economic, technological, and ideological factors Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the emergence of cities does archaeology provide more direct information on?

Technological aspects Signup and view all the answers

What is one commonality between the emergence of cities and the longer history of human settlements according to the text?

Increasing cultural complexity Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Harappan civilization studies, why have scholars shifted their focus to smaller settlements?

To uncover more about lesser-known Harappan sites Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect that scholars have acknowledged in recent decades regarding the study of the Harappan civilization?

The need to view it independently rather than through a Mesopotamian lens Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic did some early archaeologists tend to emphasize when studying Harappan civilization settlements?

Urban settlements only Signup and view all the answers

Which location is NOT mentioned in the text as a site as large or larger than Mohenjodaro and Harappa?

Mohenjodaro and Harappa in Pakistan Signup and view all the answers

What new interpretation strategy has been adopted by scholars regarding the Harappan civilization?

Viewing it independently rather than through a Mesopotamian lens Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant development that has helped in understanding the networks connecting different types of Harappan settlements?

The study of small fortified rural settlements like Balu in Haryana Signup and view all the answers

What has been a major outcome of recent discoveries about the Harappan civilization?

Increased mystery and vigorous debate about various aspects Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of city life did Childe highlight as crucial for sustaining cities?

The generation and appropriation of agricultural surpluses Signup and view all the answers

According to Gideon Sjoberg, what played a pivotal role in maintaining the social organization of empires?

Political control Signup and view all the answers

What did Robert McC.Adams focus on as crucial factors in the emergence of cities?

Political factors Signup and view all the answers

What was the trade-off between the ruling class and the rest of society according to the text?

Rulers lived off the surplus produced by farmers Signup and view all the answers

What distinguished cities from villages, according to the text?

Cities were larger, more densely populated, and had full-time craftspersons Signup and view all the answers

What was an important role played by cities in relation to agricultural surpluses?

Appropriation and redistribution of agricultural surpluses Signup and view all the answers

How did the ruling elite benefit from the surplus food produced by farmers?

By living off this surplus Signup and view all the answers