Final answer:
The Indus Valley civilization was a major ancient civilization with sophisticated urban planning, discovered in over 1000 archaeological sites. It existed during the Bronze Age, characterized by well-organized cities like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, and lacked evidence of centralized monarchic rule.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Indus Valley civilization is considered one of the ancient civilizations, existing during the Bronze Age from around 3300 to 1300 BCE, with its mature period dated between 2600 and 1900 BCE.
Archaeological explorations have discovered evidence of a sophisticated urban culture with features like advanced city planning, drainage systems, and distinctive bricks made in ovens.
Significant sites like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, which likely had populations around thirty thousand each at their height, exemplify the remarkable urban settlements of the region.
Moreover, other notable urban centers such as Dholavira, Ganeriwala, and Rakhigarhi indicate that, by 2000 BCE, there were more than one thousand urban centers of varying sizes established across the extensive span of the civilization.
The Indus civilization was remarkable for its lack of evidence suggesting political power was held by hereditary monarchs, contrasted with other contemporary civilizations such as those in Mesopotamia and Egypt.
This suggests a shared culture defined by urban planning rather than domination by warriors or kings. Archaeologists have unearthed over 1000 sites related to this civilization, highlighting its vast size and impact.
Despite its greatness, the Indus Valley civilization and its achievements went unrecognized until the nineteenth century, when the site of Harappa was discovered, introducing the world to this ancient culture's technological advancements and rich spiritual life.