The early Indus Valley Civilization was located in current day Pakistan and parts of India. The villages that began to develop on the Indus River over 5000 years ago are among the oldest in the world. From 7000 BCE to 3000 BCE, the people were living in small villages or towns. At first, almost every villager was a farmer. As farming practices improved, it freed some to become merchants, traders and craftsmen. Villages turned into towns, and some towns turned into cities. By 2500 BCE, the Indus Valley Civilization was large enough to have two major cities, MohenjoDaro and, 400 miles to the NE, Harappa. 

The years 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE include the high point of this civilization, although we still know very little about it and no one yet has deciphered their written language. Ancient cities were large, up to 35,000 inhabitants covering an area twice the size of ancient Egypt. There is no archaeological evidence that they fought wars or constructed great temples or palaces, but they built cities, made laws, and took care of the basic needs of the people, including elaborate sewer systems. 

After lasting 1000 years, the Indus Valley Civilization finally vanished around the year 1500 BCE Perhaps an earthquake caused great floods or invaders finished off an already weakened civilization. Their legacy continues in the traditions of weaving, raising chickens for food, and wearing jewelry – all of which are still practiced in India today and in the rest of the world. The Indus Valley is no longer a watered plain. 

The Indus River passes through a barren desert-like landscape. Perhaps the river shifted its course; perhaps overgrazing caused deforestation. No one really knows.