By the beginning of the Early Harappan period, we see an increase in _____________________ throughout the Indus Valley.

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Question restatement: By the beginning of the Early Harappan period, we see an increase in _____________________ throughout the Indus Valley.

Option 1: Cultural uniformity. This is the best-supported choice. Across the Early Harappan period, archaeologists observe more consistency in material culture across sites—such as similar ceramic styles, weights and measures, and standardized bead and tool production—suggesting broader cultural commonality across the valley.

Option 2: Distinctive forms of architecture. While Harappan architecture later becomes more standardized in town planning and building techniques, the Early Harappan phase is not characterized by widespread distinctive architectural forms across the valley. Architectural uniformity as a defining feature becomes more evident later, so this choice overstates the early evidence.

Option 3: Evidence for royalty and elites. The Indus Valley sites typically lack clear royal inscriptions, monumental tombs, or unmistakable elite monumental architecture that would indicate a centralized aristocracy. The consensus is that strong centralized kingship is not well evidenced, making this option unlikely for the Early Harappan.

Option 4: Human sacrifice. There is no robust archaeological evidence supporting systematic human sacrifice as a hallmark of the Early Harappan period in the Indus Valley. This claim would be considered speculative and not supported by the corpus of findings.

Option 5: Long-distance trade for foods. Although there was some long-distance exchange, the Early Harappan period is more closely associated with developing broader cultural connections and standardization rather than a clear emphasis on long-distance food trade. This description overshoots the specific pattern attributed to that time.

In summary, the most accurate interpretation of the Early Harappan period across the Indus Valley is an increase in cultural uniformity, reflecting shared practices and material culture across sites, while the other options either overstate or mischaracterize the period based on current archaeological understanding.

ARCH100 OL01 Midterm Exam # 2 - March 17-23, 2025

By the beginning of the Early Harappan period, we see an increase in _____________________ throughout the Indus Valley.

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