The civilization in the Indus River Valley was much larger than those of Egypt and Mesopotamia as evidence was rediscovered in the twentieth century. The first source is a seal from the Indus Valley which is one of the most numerous artifacts found in the cities (Source 2.1). The seals often carried images of an animal and were accessible to illiterate workers. Prominent landowners, leading officials, or merchants might have made use of the seal to communicate trade work. The second source is a seven-inch tall statue. The status was most likely an elite man from "a small group of elites, comprised of merchants, landowners, and ritual specialists" (Source 2.2). Strayer mentions, "Archeologists have found no grand temples or palaces; no elite burial places filled with great wealth; no images of warfare, conquest, or the seizing of captives; no monuments to celebrate rules" (93). The last source is called "Dancing Girl" as the small amount of archaeological evidence suggests that "some urban women played important social and religious roles in the Indus Valley civilization" (94). Their variety of clothing, hairstyles, or decorations on the female figurines may showcase their class, ethnic background, or the individual's personality (Source 2.3).
What can we learn about Indus Valley civilization from these visual sources? How does our level of understanding of this civilization differ from that of Egpyt and Mesopotamia, where plentiful written records are available?
From these sources, readers are able to gain some insight on how these people lived, governed, and thought of one another. For example, the "Seal from the Indus Valley" can depict how innovative they were and how they considered those who were illiterate. The "Man from Mohenjo Daro" and "Dancing Girl" portray how the people saw one another and how their cities were not controlled by one single ruler. Our level of understanding of this civilization differs from that of Egypt and Mesopotamia because we can only interpret the evidence since we do not have enough records from the Indus Valley civilization to obtain concrete facts.
What can we learn about Indus Valley civilization from these visual sources? How does our level of understanding of this civilization differ from that of Egpyt and Mesopotamia, where plentiful written records are available?
From these sources, readers are able to gain some insight on how these people lived, governed, and thought of one another. For example, the "Seal from the Indus Valley" can depict how innovative they were and how they considered those who were illiterate. The "Man from Mohenjo Daro" and "Dancing Girl" portray how the people saw one another and how their cities were not controlled by one single ruler. Our level of understanding of this civilization differs from that of Egypt and Mesopotamia because we can only interpret the evidence since we do not have enough records from the Indus Valley civilization to obtain concrete facts.
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