Water supply and history: Harappa and the Beas regional survey

Rita P. Wright, Reid A. Bryson, Joseph Schuldenrein

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Introducing the methods of archaeoclimatology, the authors measure the relative locus of the monsoons, the intensity of winter rains and the volume of water in the rivers in the Upper Indus, in the region of Harappa. They also note the adoption of a multi-cropping agricultural system as a possible strategy designed to adjust to changing conditions over time. They find that around 3500 BC the volume of water in the rivers increases, and the rivers flood, implying annual soil refreshment and the consequent development of agriculture. By contrast, from around 2100 BC the river flow begins to fall while the winter rains increase. This time-bracket correlates nicely with the brief flourishing of Harappa. The locally derived evidence from Harappa combined with the Beas survey data provide a model for understanding the abandonment of settlements in the Upper Indus and possibly the wider civilisation.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)37-48
    Number of pages12
    JournalAntiquity
    Volume82
    Issue number315
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Mar 2008

    Keywords

    • Agriculture
    • Climate
    • Harappa
    • Indus
    • River flow

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Archaeology
    • Arts and Humanities(all)

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