What evidence do we have that suggests the Indus Valley Civilization engaged in long-distance trade?

1. Archaeological Discoveries: Archaeologists have found artifacts in the Indus Valley region that are made from materials not found locally. This suggests that the people of the Indus Valley Civilization must have traded with other regions to acquire these materials. For example, they found lapis lazuli, a blue stone that is native to Afghanistan, and various seashells that are not native to the region.

2. Seals and Scripts: The Indus Valley Civilization is known for its unique seals and scripts, many of which have been found in regions far from the Indus Valley, such as Mesopotamia. This suggests that these seals and scripts were used in trade with these distant regions.

3. Dockyards and Shipping Technology: The remains of a massive dockyard have been discovered at Lothal, an Indus Valley site. This dockyard would have been used for the construction of ships, suggesting that the Indus Valley Civilization had the capability to engage in sea trade. Additionally, a model of a ship found at Mohenjo-Daro further supports this idea.

4. References in Ancient Texts: Ancient Mesopotamian texts refer to trade with a region called "Meluhha," which many scholars believe refers to the Indus Valley. These texts mention items such as ivory, lapis lazuli, and peacocks, which are all items that could have been traded from the Indus Valley.

5. Similarities in Artifacts: Similarities in artifacts found in the Indus Valley and Mesopotamia suggest a cultural exchange that could have been facilitated by trade. For example, certain types of beads and pottery styles are common in both regions.

These pieces of evidence collectively suggest that the Indus Valley Civilization was engaged in long-distance trade.