The Mesopotamian and Indus Valley civilizations were two of the most successful early river settlements. The Mesopotamian civilization began around 3500 B.C.E., while the Indus Valley civilization began around 3300 B.C.E. While Mesopotamian and Indus Valley architecture, technology and economical structures all developed separately, they shared numerous similarities. However, the distinct contrasts between these civilizations differentiated them enough to be considered separate societies. Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley civilizations share both similarities in their architectural style and exhibit several constructive differences. First, they both utilized a communal bath house, a building where all the citizens gathered to
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Mesopotamia and the Indus River Valley civilizations had analogous trading strategies and methods for success. First off, both of their economies were based off of agriculture and trade. In fact, all of the great civilizations began with the abandonment of the hunter-gatherer lifestyle in favor of more agrarian practices. Consequently, their populations increased due to the surplus of food. Secondly, as these two civilizations traded with each other, a more diverse variety of products and wealth of knowledge within each of the civilizations began to emerge. For example, while Mesopotamia first invented the wheel, through trade the idea was shared with the Indus Valley civilization resulting in its use there. Finally, they both utilized boats for travel and trade. Boats helped the merchants to discover locations previously unreachable. This further expanded the trading routes used by the two civilizations. While these civilizations’ trading strategies were very similar, their individuality comes in the form of the actual goods specific to each culture. As the Mesopotamians were the first to invent the wheel they were also the first ones to create carts to transport goods. They also traded precious and semi-precious stones. In return, the Indus River Valley civilization traded buttons, jewelry, and cotton. The jewelry was made from beads, buttons, and the precious stones sent from the Mesopotamians. This shows how each culture used each other to grow their own trade. The economic features of both river civilizations reflect the hardworking citizens and the spread of knowledge between the
Mesopotamia and the Indus River Valley civilizations had analogous trading strategies and methods for success. First off, both of their economies were based off of agriculture and trade. In fact, all of the great civilizations began with the abandonment of the hunter-gatherer lifestyle in favor of more agrarian practices. Consequently, their populations increased due to the surplus of food. Secondly, as these two civilizations traded with each other, a more diverse variety of products and wealth of knowledge within each of the civilizations began to emerge. For example, while Mesopotamia first invented the wheel, through trade the idea was shared with the Indus Valley civilization resulting in its use there. Finally, they both utilized boats for travel and trade. Boats helped the merchants to discover locations previously unreachable. This further expanded the trading routes used by the two civilizations. While these civilizations’ trading strategies were very similar, their individuality comes in the form of the actual goods specific to each culture. As the Mesopotamians were the first to invent the wheel they were also the first ones to create carts to transport goods. They also traded precious and semi-precious stones. In return, the Indus River Valley civilization traded buttons, jewelry, and cotton. The jewelry was made from beads, buttons, and the precious stones sent from the Mesopotamians. This shows how each culture used each other to grow their own trade. The economic features of both river civilizations reflect the hardworking citizens and the spread of knowledge between the