154k views
1 vote
Read the passage, and then answer the question.

Archaeologists have dug up many weighing blocks that the Harappan people used in trade and commerce. The weighing blocks were standardized, which means they are all the same weight and size. The seals that the Harappans used for trade also tend to be uniform. They often have the same designs and patterns, even when they are found in cities that are miles apart.
What can be concluded about the Harappan political system based on these discoveries?

A.
Harappan cities were ruled by a powerful group of Harappan priests.
B.
Harappan cities were ruled by an upper class of traders.
C.
Harappan cities had a common authority that governed their trade.
D.
Harappan cities were independent states with their own political systems.
E.
Harappan cities were ruled by a powerful group of religious leaders and traders.

User VicM
by
6.3k points

2 Answers

1 vote

Answer:

Whats the heat of the sun

Step-by-step explanation:

User Paultechguy
by
5.7k points
2 votes

The archeologists' discoveries indicate that Harappan cities had a common authority that governed their trade (C).

This is evident when you consider that the weighing blocks and trade seals from all over the Harappan territory were similar, meaning there was a common standard. This guaranteed:

  • that the merchandise could be weighed according to the same reference everywhere (the common weighing blocks),
  • and that thanks to nearly-identical seals marking the merchandise, external trading partners would recognise it as Harappan goods in general and not goods coming from certain particular cities.

For these standards to be put in place, there needed to be a an authority whose power spanned over all Harappan cities and ruled their trade.

User Michael Katkov
by
5.9k points