articlesforchristians

Trade and transportation

The Indus civilization’s economy relied a lot on trade. This trade was made easier by big improvements in transport.

The Indus Valley Civilization might have been the first to use wheeled transport. They likely used bullock carts, which look like those still seen in South Asia today. They also used boats.

Their boats were probably small, flat-bottomed crafts, possibly sail-powered, similar to those seen on the Indus River today. However, there’s also evidence of larger, sea-going vessels. Archaeologists uncovered a massive canal and docking area in Lothal, a coastal city in India. Moreover, an extensive canal network was used for crop irrigation.

Artifacts from the Indus civilization have been discovered in various locations, indicating their extensive trade networks. These networks spanned parts of Afghanistan, the coastal regions of Persia, northern and western India, and Mesopotamia. Analysis of teeth from Harappa burials suggests that some residents originated from outside the Indus Valley. Additionally, there is evidence of trade with Crete and possibly Egypt.

The Harappan and Mesopotamian civilizations had an extensive sea trade network, dating back to the middle Harappan Phase. Long-distance trade flourished with innovative boat designs. These boats were made of planks and featured a single central mast, which supported sails crafted from woven reeds or cloth.

source: Indus Valley civilization facts for kids