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The Dawn of Mehrgarh - Foundations of Civilization in 6600 BCE
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Around 6600 BCE, in what is now modern-day Balochistan, Pakistan, one of the earliest known Neolithic settlements emerged: Mehrgarh. This site represents a pivotal moment in human history, marking the transition from nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyles to settled agricultural communities in South Asia.
Mehrgarh was first excavated in the 1970s by French archaeologists Jean-François Jarrige and Catherine Jarrige. The site revealed a remarkably advanced society for its time, with evidence of:
- Early Agriculture: Cultivation of wheat, barley, and dates, as well as domestication of animals like cattle, sheep, and goats.
- Mud-Brick Architecture: Simple yet structured dwellings, storage facilities, and communal spaces.
- Craftsmanship: Production of pottery, stone tools, and even early evidence of bead-making and metallurgy (copper).
Mehrgarh is often considered a precursor to the later Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300-1300 BCE). Its inhabitants practiced:
- Burial Customs: Some graves contained ornaments and tools, suggesting belief in an afterlife.
- Trade Networks: Evidence of imported materials like lapis lazuli indicates long-distance exchange.
- Proto-Urban Planning: The settlement was divided into distinct residential and workshop areas.
Mehrgarh's development over millennia (it was occupied until around 2600 BCE) laid the groundwork for the rise of more complex urban societies in the region. While much remains to be uncovered, its existence challenges older assumptions about where and how civilization first took root.
Note: Some details about Mehrgarh's earliest phases remain debated among archaeologists, but its role as a cradle of South Asian civilization is undeniable.
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