The Indus Valley Civilization, like the current era, also suffered from a harsh period of climate change, revealed the scientists in their new study. As mentioned in the new report, Indus Valley Civilization, also known as Bronze Age civilization – flourished in the northeast Afghanistan to Pakistan and northwest India also faced the harsh impacts of climate change. The researchers also suggested that the prehistoric inhabitants of India used to employ a number of subsistence practices to deal with miscellaneous environments and its changing patterns.
Previously, Paleoclimatologists have often accredited the disgrace of cultures in Greece, Mesopotamia, and Egypt to a massive drought or deficiency which initiated in 2000 BC. This incident of drought is also believed to be responsible for the downfall of the Indus Valley Civilization. But a new study, based on the Indus Valley Civilization has put some fresh light on climate change, which dates back nearly 4000 years ago. As per the study, the incident of climate change took place some thousands of years back and this changing patterns of climate affected the human civilization, living in that era.
The new study report, published in the social journal ‘Current Anthropology’, also highlights multiple nuances of how the human society of Indus Valley adapted itself to the abnormal changes of the environment at that time. The study, focusing more on the Indus Valley Civilization of South Asia, dating back the era between c.3000 and 1300 BC also suggested that, the human society of that era suffered due to the climate changes, which is also attributed to the breakdown of the civilization of Indus Valley.
As suggested by the researchers, the Indus Valley Civilization went forward in a particular ecology where there was overlie in the rainfall systems of the summer and winter seasons. The collected evidence by the investigators also reveal that all through the epoch between c.2500 – 1900 BC, the area which coincides with the timeline of the Indus Valley Civilization was uncovered to climatic changes and hence it is quite clear that, the ancient society adapted itself to the climate changes. The study also sheds lights on the concerns like how the prehistoric society struggled with the speckled ecosystems, as well as the climatic constrictions.
Scientists, by taking the help of isotope data of the sediments of an antique lake, suggested that the torrential rain succession which is essential to the livelihood of the South Asian countries unexpectedly halted for almost two centuries, hinting towards an aftermath of climate changes. During the research, the Paleoclimatologists investigated into the ground, water and settlement dynamics of the prehistoric society. It also delved into the manner, how the civilization located near the North-West India, modified it to the changing patterns of climatic conditions and how the atmosphere transformed throughout the period of climate change.