Study Reveals Long Drought Led to the Decline of the Indus Civilization
November 30, 202585 AufrufeLesezeit: 2 Minuten
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A recent scientific study conducted by a team of paleoclimate researchers from India and the United States has revealed that the Indus Valley Civilization did not vanish mysteriously, as previously thought, but rather succumbed to repeated severe and prolonged droughts lasting over a century.
Published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, the research indicates that the Indus River's tributaries experienced significant reductions or temporary halts in water flow between 3,400 and 4,400 years ago, coinciding with a marked decrease in rainfall and a gradual rise in temperatures.
The researchers highlighted that their study relied on a combination of paleoclimate data derived from stalagmites in the Sahyadri and Maumlu regions of India, along with results from advanced climate simulations, to accurately depict weather variations during this critical period of civilization.
Professor Balaghi Rajagopalan from the University of Colorado, who led the research team, noted that the lack of historical climate data had hindered the understanding of the true causes behind the decline of the Indus culture. This study allowed for the aggregation of various indicators into a unified model, revealing a recurring pattern of prolonged and intense drought.
The findings showed that rainfall rates decreased by 10 to 20 percent, while average temperatures rose by approximately half a degree Celsius, attributed to a weakening of monsoon winds during this period. The study also documented four major drought events, each covering between 65 and 91 percent of the valley's area and lasting over 85 years.
The final drought period, which lasted about 113 years and began approximately 3,530 years ago, coincided with the ultimate collapse of the major cities of the Indus culture and the disappearance of its urban centers, suggesting that inhabitants were compelled to migrate to more temperate and moist regions of the Indian subcontinent.
The Indus Valley Civilization is regarded as one of the oldest and most significant human civilizations, alongside ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. It emerged around 5,000 years ago along the banks of the Indus River, at present-day India-Pakistan border, reaching its peak between 2200 and 1900 BC before entering a phase of rapid decline that culminated in its disappearance, leaving little explanation until now.
Published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, the research indicates that the Indus River's tributaries experienced significant reductions or temporary halts in water flow between 3,400 and 4,400 years ago, coinciding with a marked decrease in rainfall and a gradual rise in temperatures.
The researchers highlighted that their study relied on a combination of paleoclimate data derived from stalagmites in the Sahyadri and Maumlu regions of India, along with results from advanced climate simulations, to accurately depict weather variations during this critical period of civilization.
Professor Balaghi Rajagopalan from the University of Colorado, who led the research team, noted that the lack of historical climate data had hindered the understanding of the true causes behind the decline of the Indus culture. This study allowed for the aggregation of various indicators into a unified model, revealing a recurring pattern of prolonged and intense drought.
The findings showed that rainfall rates decreased by 10 to 20 percent, while average temperatures rose by approximately half a degree Celsius, attributed to a weakening of monsoon winds during this period. The study also documented four major drought events, each covering between 65 and 91 percent of the valley's area and lasting over 85 years.
The final drought period, which lasted about 113 years and began approximately 3,530 years ago, coincided with the ultimate collapse of the major cities of the Indus culture and the disappearance of its urban centers, suggesting that inhabitants were compelled to migrate to more temperate and moist regions of the Indian subcontinent.
The Indus Valley Civilization is regarded as one of the oldest and most significant human civilizations, alongside ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. It emerged around 5,000 years ago along the banks of the Indus River, at present-day India-Pakistan border, reaching its peak between 2200 and 1900 BC before entering a phase of rapid decline that culminated in its disappearance, leaving little explanation until now.
