The Lost Civilization of Mohenjo Daro

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Probably one of the most mysterious place in the world is the ancient city of Mohenjo Daro. Located in the province of Sindh, Pakistan; Mohenjo Daro (or Mound of the Dead) was built around 26th century BCE and one of the largest settlements of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization. The city was abandoned during 19th century BCE, and was not rediscovered until 1911. 

Evidences indicates that it was stunningly advanced and one of the world's earliest major urban settlements. The streets are well-planned and supported by a complex drainage system which hint that the occupants of the ancient Indus civilization city of Mohenjo Daro were skilled urban planners. However, the city's lack of palaces, temples, or monuments and no obvious central seat of government or evidence of a king or queen is a big puzzle. Archaeologists assume that Mohenjo Daro was likely governed as a city-state, perhaps by elected officials or elites from each of the mounds. 

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According to National Geographic, the city’s entire culture may have been constructed on the ideology based on cleanliness. Wells were found throughout the city, and nearly every house contained a bathing area and drainage system. A gigantic communal bath perched on top of a mound of dirt and held in place with walls of baked brick is the closest structure that Mohenjo Daro has in place of temple or religious altar.

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The city was among the most important to the Indus civilization around 2500 to 1900 B.C. The city's wealth and stature is evident in artifacts such as ivory, lapis, carnelian, and gold beads, as well as the baked-brick city structures themselves. Pottery and tools of copper and stone were standardized; an indication that its former inhabitants prefer orderliness. On the other hand, the seals and weights suggest a system of tightly controlled trade. 

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A miniature bronze statuette of a nude female, known as the dancing girl, was discovered in 1926. There are also few stone sculptures of seated male figures, such as the intricately carved and colored Priest King, although there is no evidence he was a priest or king. The sculptures were all found broken.

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Who occupied this ancient city during the third millennium B.C. and why they abandoned the city remains a riddle in archaeology. It is stated that no real signs of flooding nor invasions are found. The changing course of the Indus River might have hampered the local agricultural economy and the city's importance as a center of trade, but it is not enough to explain the collapse of the entire Indus civilization.

Sources: 1, 2, 3