🤯 Did You Know (click to read)
Archaeological work at Rakhigarhi has uncovered human remains used in recent genetic studies of ancient South Asian populations.
Rakhigarhi, located in Haryana, India, is one of the largest known sites of the Indus Valley Civilization. Archaeological surveys estimate its extent at over 350 hectares during its mature phase around 2600 BCE. Excavations reveal residential blocks, drainage systems, and craft production areas. Evidence of standardized brick dimensions matches patterns across other Indus cities. Burial sites indicate organized funerary practices. The scale challenges earlier assumptions that Mohenjo-daro and Harappa were unmatched in size. Population density required logistical coordination. Urban planning extended beyond a single metropolitan hub. Regional networks supported multiple major centers.
💥 Impact (click to read)
Rakhigarhi’s size suggests decentralized urban complexity rather than reliance on a single capital. Resource distribution and craft specialization likely operated across neighborhoods. Agricultural hinterlands sustained dense populations. Urban scale demanded administrative systems. Trade integration connected it to other Indus cities. Settlement expansion reflects demographic growth. Complexity multiplied across regions.
For inhabitants, city size meant interaction across diverse crafts and communities. The irony lies in how such a vast metropolis remained buried for millennia while global narratives emphasized only a few flagship sites. Scale does not guarantee recognition. Rakhigarhi quietly rebalances perspective.
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