Harappa facts for kids
Harappa (Urdu: ہڑپہ) is an amazing archaeological site located in Punjab, in northeast Pakistan. An archaeological site is a place where scientists called archaeologists dig up old things to learn about the past. Harappa is about 35 kilometers (22 miles) southwest of Sahiwal. There's also a modern village called Harappa about 6 kilometers away, where around 15,000 people live today.
This ancient site holds the remains of a very old city from the Bronze Age. The Bronze Age was a time long ago when people started using bronze to make tools and weapons. The people who lived in Harappa were part of a huge and important group called the Indus Valley Civilization.
Harappa didn't get much attention until the 1920s, when archaeologists started to explore it more deeply. In 2005, there were plans to build an amusement park near the site. Luckily, these plans were stopped early on, which helped protect this important historical place. Harappa is truly a beautiful and significant place to learn about ancient history.
Contents
Discovering Ancient Harappa
The ancient city of Harappa was one of the largest cities of the Indus Valley Civilization. This civilization was one of the world's earliest and most advanced. It existed around 2500 to 1900 BC. That's over 4,000 years ago!
Archaeologists began serious excavations at Harappa in the 1920s. They uncovered many fascinating things. These discoveries showed how clever and organized the people of Harappa were.
Life in the Bronze Age City
The people of Harappa were very skilled builders and planners. Their city was well-organized with straight streets and a good drainage system. This means they had pipes and channels to carry away waste water. This was very advanced for their time.
They also had large public buildings and homes made of baked bricks. These bricks were very strong and lasted a long time. The city even had a huge granary. This was a big building used to store grain, like wheat and barley.
Who Lived in Harappa?
The people of Harappa were farmers, traders, and craftspeople. They grew crops like wheat, barley, and cotton. They also traded with other ancient civilizations. This included places as far away as Mesopotamia, which is modern-day Iraq.
They made beautiful pottery, jewelry, and sculptures. Many small figures and seals have been found at Harappa. These items tell us a lot about their daily lives and beliefs. Some of the seals have a special writing system. However, we still don't know how to read it!
Why Harappa is Important Today
Harappa is a very important site for understanding ancient history. It helps us learn about one of the first major civilizations in the world. Studying Harappa teaches us about how early cities were built and how people lived thousands of years ago.
Protecting sites like Harappa is crucial. It helps future generations learn about our past. It also reminds us of the amazing achievements of ancient people.
Images for kids
-
Map showing the sites and extent of the Indus Valley civilisation. Harappa was the centre of one of the core regions of the Indus Valley Civilization, located in central Punjab. The Harappan architecture and Harappan Civilisation was one of the most developed in the old Bronze Age.
-
Miniature Votive Images or Toy Models from Harappa, ca. 2500. Hand-modeled terra-cotta figurines with polychromy.
See also
In Spanish: Harappa para niños
