Final answer:
The archaeological digs at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro reveal the Indus Valley Civilization's sophistication in urban planning, shared cultural practices, and advanced technology, with evidence of detailed city planning, trade, and artisan culture, but also show a society without monarchic dominance, possibly indicating a unique political structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the Ancient Indus Valley Civilization
Archaeological digs at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro disclose a wealth of knowledge about the ancient Indus people and their civilization. These sites demonstrate advanced urban planning, with cities operating on sophisticated grid systems, possibly indicating some form of central authority. The Indus Valley Civilization at its peak included over a thousand urban centers, and the two most prominent, Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, were technologically advanced and possessed large populations.
Their cities were characterized by well-thought-out drainage systems and orderly streets. Evidence such as uniform bricks indicates a shared culture. There's little sign of monumental architecture or a ruling class dominated by warriors and kings, suggesting a possibly unique form of socio-political organization. Artisans in these cities crafted jewelry and fabrics, and there was a rich spiritual life with practices such as ceremonial bathing and a symbolic vocabulary with animals like elephants and bulls held in reverence.
Trade was also significant, with cities like Lothal having features such as dockyards, and artisans and merchants played vital roles in the urban economy. The decline of this civilization might have been due to environmental factors, such as salinization of soil and deforestation, which eventually led to the abandonment of major cities around 1700 BCE.