Cities of the Ancient World Season 1 Episode 5 Mysterious Mohenjo-daro

In this episode of Cities of the Ancient World, viewers are taken on a journey to Mohenjo-daro, an ancient city in the Indus Valley that was inhabited from 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE. With its advanced urban planning and sophisticated drainage system, Mohenjo-daro was a marvel of its time, yet much of its history remains a mystery.

The episode begins with an overview of the city's location, which was near the banks of the Indus River. Viewers are shown a reconstructed model of what the city might have looked like in its prime, with its orderly grid layout, public buildings, and residential areas. The narrator explains that Mohenjo-daro was one of the largest cities of the ancient world, with a population estimated to be around 40,000.

Next, the episode explores the topic of the city's demise. While historians are unsure exactly what caused the city's decline, they do know that it was abandoned in the 19th century BCE. Viewers learn that the most prevalent theory is that the city was destroyed by a massive flood. The episode then discusses how the city was rediscovered in the 1920s by British archaeologist Sir John Marshall, who uncovered many of the city's ruins and artifacts.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Mohenjo-daro is its writing system. The city's inhabitants used a form of writing that is still largely undeciphered by modern scholars. The episode delves into the mysteries of this writing system, showing examples of the symbols that were used and discussing some of the theories that have been proposed about their meaning.

Another mystery surrounding Mohenjo-daro is the purpose of some of its structures. One of the most enigmatic is the Great Bath, a large, rectangular pool that was part of a public complex. While experts aren't sure what the Great Bath was used for, it has been suggested that it may have been a ritual bathing place or even a public swimming pool.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to stunning footage of the city's ruins, including its impressive drainage system, which was made up of interconnected brick-lined channels. The narrator explains that this system was designed to prevent flooding during the monsoon season, and may have been one of the reasons why the city was so successful.

The episode also includes interviews with experts in the fields of archaeology and ancient history, who provide their insights on Mohenjo-daro's mysteries. Viewers learn about some of the challenges that archaeologists face during excavations, such as the fact that the soil at the site is extremely hard and difficult to dig through.

As the episode draws to a close, viewers are left with a sense of wonder and intrigue about the ancient city of Mohenjo-daro. Despite the fact that much of its history may never be fully understood, the city remains a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of ancient civilizations.