Harappa

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/harappa

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How big is Harappa?150 hectares (370 acres)
2. What is the estimated peak population?Approximately 23,500 residents
3. What is the primary construction material?Fired clay bricks
4. What was Harappa like when it was at its biggest?At its height, Harappa was a huge city with about 23,500 people and covered 150 hectares. It had planned streets, homes, public spaces, and maybe defensive walls.
5. Why did the Ravi River move away from Harappa?Rivers can change their paths over time. The Ravi River shifted about eight kilometers north, making it harder for Harappa to get water and trade.

Indus Valley Civilization: A Bronze Age civilization known for its sophisticated urban planning and widespread settlements in the Indus River basin.
Mature Harappan phase: The period of greatest urban development and cultural achievement within the Indus Valley Civilization, roughly 2600–1900 BC.
Archaeological ballast: The use of historical artifacts, such as bricks from ancient sites, as foundational material for modern infrastructure like railways.
Hydrological shift: A significant change in the course or behavior of a river system over time.