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Questions and Answers
Which aspect of the Indus Valley civilization was most significantly influenced by urbanism?
Which aspect of the Indus Valley civilization was most significantly influenced by urbanism?
What is a key characteristic of elite conspicuous consumption in ancient civilizations?
What is a key characteristic of elite conspicuous consumption in ancient civilizations?
Which concept differentiates diffusionism from independent origins in the context of ancient civilizations?
Which concept differentiates diffusionism from independent origins in the context of ancient civilizations?
What was one significant outcome of the Early Harappan period in comparison to the Mature Harappan?
What was one significant outcome of the Early Harappan period in comparison to the Mature Harappan?
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Which statement best reflects the role of the aurochs in historical human ecosystems?
Which statement best reflects the role of the aurochs in historical human ecosystems?
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What aspect of the Early Harappan period is suggested by the presence of standardized weights and stamp seals?
What aspect of the Early Harappan period is suggested by the presence of standardized weights and stamp seals?
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Which of the following accurately describes the social structure indicated by the size and hierarchy of sites in the Indus Valley during the Early Harappan period?
Which of the following accurately describes the social structure indicated by the size and hierarchy of sites in the Indus Valley during the Early Harappan period?
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What conclusion can be drawn from the evidence of mudbrick buildings and a defensive wall at the Early Harappan period site?
What conclusion can be drawn from the evidence of mudbrick buildings and a defensive wall at the Early Harappan period site?
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What role did zebu cattle play in the Indus Valley's domestication practices?
What role did zebu cattle play in the Indus Valley's domestication practices?
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Which characteristic of the Kot Diji phase signifies a complexity in social or economic structures?
Which characteristic of the Kot Diji phase signifies a complexity in social or economic structures?
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What distinguishes the city-states of the Harappan civilization from those of Mesopotamia and China?
What distinguishes the city-states of the Harappan civilization from those of Mesopotamia and China?
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Which statement best describes the population and size of the Harappa settlement at its peak?
Which statement best describes the population and size of the Harappa settlement at its peak?
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In the context of residential patterns within the Harappan civilization, what does matrilocal residence imply?
In the context of residential patterns within the Harappan civilization, what does matrilocal residence imply?
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What notable characteristic of the Mature Harappan settlement system is highlighted by its urban centers?
What notable characteristic of the Mature Harappan settlement system is highlighted by its urban centers?
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What purpose did the monumental wall surrounding Kot Diji likely serve?
What purpose did the monumental wall surrounding Kot Diji likely serve?
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What role did labor specialization play in the Indus Valley civilization?
What role did labor specialization play in the Indus Valley civilization?
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What is a key characteristic of the Indus script?
What is a key characteristic of the Indus script?
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How did urban centers in the Indus Valley reflect social organization?
How did urban centers in the Indus Valley reflect social organization?
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What aspect of trade is highlighted in the context of the Indus Valley?
What aspect of trade is highlighted in the context of the Indus Valley?
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What is the significance of inscribed ceramic tiles found at Mohenjo-daro?
What is the significance of inscribed ceramic tiles found at Mohenjo-daro?
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Study Notes
Lost Tribes and Buried Cities - ANT 104, FA 2024
- Professor: Dr. Kayeleigh Sharp
- Email: [email protected]
Chapter 11 - The Indus Valley and China
- Topics covered include: Indus Valley Civilization, Ancient Chinese Civilization, and Understanding Civilization
- Learning Objectives:
- Describe the development of the Indus Valley civilization
- List characteristics of early food production in the Indus Valley
- Examine the details of the Early Harappan period
- Analyze the archaeology of the Mature Harappan period
- Review the post-Harappan culture
- Explore the antiquity of ancient Chinese civilization
- Explain processes of elite conspicuous consumption
- Distinguish between diffusionism and independent origins in the study of ancient civilizations
Questions
- What are the major civilizations of the Indus Valley?
- What are the major civilizations of ancient China?
- What is elite conspicuous consumption and why did it occur?
- What is diffusionism in the study of ancient civilizations?
Timeline of Civilizations in South Asia and China
- Displays a timeline showing the development of various civilizations in South Asia and China.
- Includes specific sites and dynasties (Mehrgarh, Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Shang Dynasty, Zhou Dynasty, Qin Dynasty).
Timeline: The Indus Valley
- Shows the timeline of the Indus Valley's development, highlighting key periods (Neolithic, Early Harappan, Mature Harappan, Late Harappan, and Chalcolithic).
- Discusses exchange networks, urbanism, written communication, and features of Harappan society.
- Emphasizes a large geographic area of influence and relative egalitarianism.
- Includes information about early food production, the use of pottery, and notable archaeological sites.
Archaeological Sites in India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan
- A map shows locations of archaeological sites (Indus Valley).
Map: The Indus Valley
- The map shows the geographic location of the Indus Valley.
Chronology of Domestication
- Includes a visual chart showing the timelines of domestication in various regions and major domesticated animals and plants.
Aurochs? A modern question of ethics
- The aurochs is the ancestor of cattle.
- The keystone species, hunted to extinction in 1627.
- The Tauros Programme aims to bring back the aurochs.
- Grazing the landscapes of Europe, the aurochs has a vital role in maintaining biodiversity.
- Today, Re-wilding Europe has initiated efforts to bring this herbivore back.
Early Food Production
- Main domesticated plants and animals in the Indus Valley likely originated from the Middle East, East Asia and Africa, with notable exceptions like zebu (humped cattle).
- Post-5500 BC, Indus Valley peoples used pottery, and were highly mobile pastoralists.
- Settlement expansion and urbanization occurred via farming practices during the Chalcolithic period (4300 BC.)
The site of Mehrgarh
- Mehrgarh is a well-documented archaeological site in the Indus Valley region.
- Reveals development through the Neolithic, Chalcolithic, and Early Harappan periods. This site demonstrates patterns of food production.
Early Harappan
- Highlights multiple phases of developments during the Early Harappan period.
- Features changing pottery styles, site sizes, economic activity. Evidence suggesting the development of urban life and social classes emerge.
- Evidence of trade networks across vast distances, possibly across an expanding trade sphere.
- The Kot Diji phase covers a wider area.
The site of Kot Diji
- Located on an ancient Indus river channel.
- Large mudbrick buildings surrounded by walls.
- Evidence of destruction by fire, followed by later occupation
- The monumental wall likely acted as protection from both human enemies and floods.
Mature Harappan (1 of 3)
- Characterization: More sites, greater population density, weight standardization, and a larger interaction sphere.
- Three-tiered hierarchical settlement, with central places like Harappa or Mohenjo-daro.
- Resources and ideas flowed between secondary centers & these centers, villages, and pastoral camps.
- The Harappa site had walled enclosures
- Population size of Harappa: 25,000 to 35,000.
Mature Harappan (2 of 3)
- Central places, like Harappa or Mohenjo-daro, were strategically located on major rivers.
- Resources & ideas flowed in out from these centers, to surrounding networks, secondary centers, villages, and pastoral camps.
- Central place networks are commonly referred to in this context as city-states.
- Different settlements exhibit less warfare and feature greater power sharing.
Mature Harappan
- Mohenjo-daro is the largest urban center at 618 acres, with a population of 20,000 to 40,000 inhabitants.
The heart of Mohenjo Daro
- A significant city of the Indus Valley Civilization.
- An impressive circular structure, atop, possibly a temple, was added long after the IV civilization had collapsed.
Urbanization and Its Consequences
- Dense urban concentrations required group coordination and supervision of its inhabitants reflecting in the Harappan street design and wastewater systems.
- Urban centers included walled neighborhoods; specialized workshops.
- Rural areas supplied resources (wheat, barley, millet, grapes, and dates); used cotton and hemp for fiber production. Domesticated animals provided food and labor.
Indus Valley Civilization - key characteristics
- Long-distance exchange networks.
- Indus script evidence of writing.
The Written Word
- Indus script became standardized around 2600 BC.
- Found on artifacts from more than 60 sites (evidence).
- Undeciphered, but contexts reveal short messages (17 signs or less) used by elites and carved into bone, ivory, shell, steatite, gold, copper, bronze, and silver.
The Written Word (2 of 2)
- The Indus script developed from earlier potter's marks.
- Debate on whether it represents language or non-linguistic symbols (possible meanings).
Inscribed ceramic tiles
- These tiles were found in excavations of the Indus Valley city of Mohenjo-daro.
- May reflect early writing, possibly indicating accounts of the land, goods, or materials.
Resource Networks, Trade, and Exchange
- The Indus Valley was engaged in long-distance trade since the Neolithic.
- Exchange of goods, materials, and technologies is visible in the record.
- Examples: Foxtail millet, broomcorn millet, rice (possibly) from China around 2500 BCE; Pearl millet, and sorghum arrival from Africa around 2000 BCE, via Mesopotamia.
- Mature Harappan trade increased its interaction sphere and exchange, sometimes called the "Middle Asian Interaction Sphere" (map provided).
Proposed Middle Asian Interaction Sphere
- Map illustrating trade routes and regions of interaction (visual).
Map showing the flow of raw materials
- Map shows the transport of raw materials to Mohenjo-daro and finished goods shipments to the Persian Gulf
Resource Networks, Trade, and Exchange
- Trade involved land, rivers, and seas.
- Standardized weights in Harappan city-states allowed for relatively accurate measurement of exotic materials.
- Craftwork was sometimes highly controlled; other types of items may have been handcrafted and produced via kin-based groups.
Ideology
- Religious, social, and political ideas are reflected in artifacts, structures, and rituals.
- No clearly religious structures were found in Harappan cities
- Images on masks, seals, and figurines depict people, animals, and possibly Hindu god Shiva.
Collapse? After the Mature Harappan
- The Mature Harappan urbanism wasn’t sustainable, leading to a dispersal, and settlement into smaller communities.
- Possible reasons for collapse could be environmental changes, social or political issues, or decreased trade networks.
- Diminished access to exotic goods may have influenced the power and importance of elite groups.
- Mohenjo-daro and Harappa ceased to be prominent urban centers after 1200 BCE.
Who was the Priest-King of Mohenjo-daro?
- Whoever he was, he held a high status in Mohenjo-daro due to the ability to commission or control the creation of a beautiful sculpture.
Debunking Ancient Aliens (Again)
- Questions included in this topic cover investigating object characteristics, political systems, and archeological clues for identifying the Priest-King.
China
- Focuses on various Chinese river systems; a discussion of the development of Chinese civilizations.
Timeline: Yellow and Yangtze Rivers, China
- Illustrates a timeline covering the development of politically complex states during the Neolithic in various Chinese regions.
- Examination of different writing systems from this period.
- Economic diversity and various domesticated crops are discussed.
- State-level societies in Yellow and Yangtze River areas are explored.
Map: Neolithic China
- Map identifying location of various sites & regions or settlement areas (visual).
Archaeological sites in China
- A map displaying various archaeological locations in China (visual).
Early Food Production
- Early Neolithic settlements date to 8000 BCE, with varied sizes and styles; there are diverse pottery, and artifacts styles and subsistence.
- Neolithic peoples were sedentary but relied on a mix of wild and cultivated foods.
- Populations shifted to more sedentism as domesticated crop production expanded.
- Wild rice, millet, and pigs were utilized for many centuries before becoming fully domesticated.
Chronology of Domestication
- Visual chart showing the timeline of domestication around the world (visual).
Before Shang
- Sites from the later Neolithic, Chalcolithic, and Bronze Ages show an investment in domesticated resources & growing political complexity.
- Three early states are focused on the Middle & Lower Yellow River areas, they are: Yangshao, Longshan, and Erlitou cultures.
Yangshao (1 of 2)
- Millet farming was dominant in this economy (5000-3000 BCE)
- Cultivation of Chinese cabbage and rice (possibly.)
- Domestication of pigs, dogs, chickens, cattle, goats, and sheep.
Yangshao (2 of 2)
- Villagers continued fishing and collecting wild plants and animals.
- Evidence of status differences is evident in burial practices.
Civilization of Ancient China
- Lung-Shan culture (ca. 5000 BP)
- Hang-T'u
- Scapulimancy
- Lung-Shan burials
Longshan (Lung-shan) Culture
- Characterized by social stratification, metallurgy and craft specialization, and pre-writing (5000-3800 BP).
Lung-shan (Chronological context)
- 3000-1800 BC: based on farming that included millet, rice, and pigs; beginning of copper and bronze metallurgy.
- Increased political complexity as evident in pottery and jade; variations in grave goods; settlement patterns.
- Centralized authority is evident; leading to contested territories; raiding, and defensive measures.
- Bone evidence of conflict (traumatic injuries): including scalping and dismemberment.
- Evidence of divination (scapulimancy).
Lung-shan Burials
- Data table, in tabular format, illustrates proportion of graves with wooden coffins, number of grave goods, and class distinctions.
Civilization of Ancient China
- Erlitou (1800–1600 BCE)
- Early Bronze Age associated with the earliest known Chinese state.
- Political control established over a much wider region; the society was significantly more centralized and hierarchical than the preceding Longshan Culture.
Erlitou Culture
- Stratification extended beyond individuals to encompass entire cities.
Erlitou
- Elites and craftspeople at urban centers did not cultivate food. They likely received food as tribute from other regions.
- Erlitou culture is linked by widespread motifs on pottery (white pottery vessels) and later bronze vessels.
- The urban center of Erlitou eventually declined in importance by 1600 BCE.
Civilization of Ancient China
- Shang Civilization / Shang Dynasty (2400 BP)
- Bronze metallurgy
- Royal burials
Map – Shang Dynasty
- Illustrates territories of Shang Dynasty, and other dynasties.
Shang Dynasty
- Centralized state run from a capital city (Anyang).
- Ruling elites controlled the state.
Importance of Centralization
- Organization of Labor
- Control of taxes, trade, and exotic goods.
Shang China
- Cultural continuity is apparent from Erlitou to the Shang, through elements such as the ritual use of bronze vessels, hierarchical settlement patterns, tribute payments, and elite control of craft production.
- Erligang controlled a much larger sphere of interaction, with more significant military fortification.
- Shang political organization may have evolved into state structures.
The Written Word
- The very first Chinese writing appears to be largely based on earlier Neolithic signs.
- Early Shang writing largely relates to divination (preserved on animal bones and tortoise shell).
Scapulimancy and Writing
- Scapulimancy, the use of animal shoulder bones (oracle bones), or turtle plastrons in divination.
The Written Word
- Unlike Egyptian and Mesopotamian systems; Chinese writing focused on interpreting the future via the practice of divination.
- Diviners interpreted cracks to reveal the desires of the Shang kings.
Resource Networks, Trade, and Exchange
- Natural resources for craft workshops were likely obtained in the form of tribute from surrounding areas of Shang territory.
- Craft production primarily focused on turquoise, jade, and bronze.
- Shang royals acquired exotic shells as wealth or payment.
- Late Shang Period saw the production of bronze vessels in many cities.
- Cattle bone was a practical and ritual material with various uses.
Social Life
- Under Shang control, millet and pig farmers had to produce enough offerings/tributes for Shang rulers.
- Households traced their ancestry patrilineally to a male ancestor; this was revered.
- Specialized laborers and craftspeople lived near the royal households.
- Shang capital cities were constructed based on instructions extracted from divination practices; many wives ensured the continuation of the king's male lineage, often via alliances.
- Royal burials included a large array of bronze and jade weapons and ritual items.
- Primarily, human sacrificial victims were war captives.
Ritual and Religion
- Reverence for ancestors and gods pervades everything.
- Recognized deities included the high god Ti, the Yellow River god Ho, and the mountain god Yueh; interactions with the supernatural were vital.
- Scapulimancy became highly standardized and regulated by diviners and kings.
Ritual and Religion
- Ancestor worship within Shang China with a focus on bronze vessels and yearly ritual sacrifices.
- Primarily, Sacrifices included pigs, cattle, sheep, dogs, horses, and humans.
- Diviners determined the type of sacrifice needed.
Art and Religion
- Elites controlled access to ritual goods; bronze vessels were used for ancestor veneration purposes.
Bronze Casting
- Bronze casting of a baby elephant with a little tiger perched on its trunk, which emphasizes the role of bronze metallurgy in the development and art of Chinese civilization.
- Bronze craftmanship developed over 3100 years ago.
Warfare and Violence
- Ceremonial sacrifices constitute a form of violence (reflecting warfare); captives and slaves were utilized as sacrifices.
- Shang rulers' calculated purposes for warfare were protection from outsiders, capturing non-Shang people for ritual sacrifices, and the expansions of territories and resources.
- Shang military included officers, archers, charioteers, and dogs.
- Elites had private armies.
- Female military commanders were rare, yet impactful.
Beheaded people in a royal burial
- People were often sacrificed as part of the ceremonies surrounding a royal burial (signifying their high social status and importance in society).
Schematic diagram of a cruciform grave.
- Diagram of a cruciform burial with human remainers meant to serve the deceased in the afterlife.
One of the 25 "chariot pits"
- Diagram of a significant chariot pit with chariots, bodies of horses, and charioteers (suggesting a high status, in this context).
After Shang
- Shang state conquered by Western Zhou and their allies in 1045 BCE.
- Western Zhou assimilated the existing Shang hierarchy via political integration.
- Zhou elites engaged in warfare, with inscribed bronze vessels used as trophies to celebrate victories.
After Shang
- The Eastern Zhou dynasty (770–256 BCE) composed of the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BCE) and the Warring States period (475–221 BCE).
- Seven major states contended for control of China before unification under the Qin dynasty.
After Shang
- Imperial China began in 221 BCE, during the reign of Qin Shi Huang, representing the founding of the Qin Dynasty.
- China's last emperor was overthrown in AD 1911, establishing modern China.
Understanding Civilization
- Diffusionism
- Independent origins
Review of Learning Objectives
- Indus Valley civilization was prominent during the Mature Harappan period.
- Chinese civilization is ancient, with a significant history.
- Elite conspicuous consumption frequently served as a means of displaying status and wealth in early civilizations.
- Early civilizations should be understood via exploring their independent origins rather than solely adhering to diffusion theories.
Questions
- Major civilizations of the Indus Valley.
- Major civilizations of ancient China.
- Elite conspicuous consumption and motives.
- Definitions of the concept of diffusionism within ancient civilization analysis.
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Test your knowledge on the Indus Valley civilization with this quiz. Explore key aspects of urbanism, elite consumption, and social structures within ancient civilizations. Delve into the characteristics that defined different periods of this fascinating culture.
