which aspects of civilization scholars still have questions about for the Indus Valley civilization.

1 answer

Scholars still have questions about several aspects of the Indus Valley civilization, including:

1. Language and Writing: The Indus Valley civilization had a script that is yet to be deciphered, limiting our understanding of their language and communication. Researchers have made progress in identifying around 400 distinct symbols, but the language itself remains a mystery.

2. Political and Social Organization: The exact political structure and social hierarchy of the Indus Valley civilization are still not fully understood. Questions remain about the nature of governance, the existence of a centralized authority, and the role of cities in political organization.

3. Cultural and Religious Beliefs: The religious and cultural practices of the Indus Valley people are not yet fully understood. Although numerous seals and figurines depicting anthropomorphic and animal-like deities have been discovered, the specific religious rituals, beliefs, and ceremonies are still speculative.

4. Trade and Economy: The major trade routes, economic systems, and extent of long-distance trade are areas of ongoing research. While scholars believe that the Indus Valley civilization had a sophisticated economy built on agriculture and trade, the specifics of their trade networks and economic interactions with other regions are still unclear.

5. Decline and Disappearance: It remains a topic of debate among scholars as to what led to the decline and ultimate disappearance of the Indus Valley civilization around 1900 BCE. The causes could range from natural disasters to invasion or social unrest, but no conclusive evidence has been found to support any particular theory.

Overall, despite numerous discoveries and advances in understanding, several key aspects of the Indus Valley civilization remain enigmatic and continue to be explored by scholars.