PreHarappan culture from "summary" of The Hindu History by Majumdar Akshoy K
Pre-Harappan culture is an ancient form of human civilization that flourished in the Indus Valley in the third millennium BC. It is known for its sophisticated urban planning and advances in technology and art. It is one of the earliest known urban cultures of the world.- Pre-Harappan culture is the prehistoric cultural phase which existed in India prior to the Indus Valley/Harappan Civilisation, and was characterised mainly by its developed urban culture.
- During this period, a distinctive type of pottery, called pre-Harappan pottery, developed with elaborate designs and images incised on it.
- It was during this period when the concept of the caste system appeared which affected the social organisation of communities in subsequent ages.
- Evidence also suggests that a monetary system emerged during this time along with some form of writing.
- The main activities carried out were farming, herding and manufacturing a variety of goods.
- This era saw the rise of craftsmen producing items such as jewellery, beads and terracotta figures.
- A few cities became prominent and served as trading centres and hubs for exchanging goods and ideas with other populations within and outside South Asia.
- Several tools like copper and bronze were made using techniques which demonstrate an improvement over earlier ones.
- Trade networks increased significantly resulting in a greater circulation of commodities, skills and technologies from place to place.
