New research suggests that Mohenjo-daro, the largest city of the Indus civilization, became more equal as it grew larger and more productive, according to ScienceDaily.
Historians have often argued that inequality rises as small farming communities develop into cities, with power and wealth concentrating among rulers and elites. But a University of York study points to the opposite pattern in Mohenjo-daro, a 4,000-year-old urban center.
Researchers looked at differences in house sizes across the city and found that the gap between the largest and smallest homes narrowed over time. The study also says Mohenjo-daro appears to have been more equal than comparable societies in Mesopotamia and Greece.
According to lead author Dr. Adam Green, evidence from the ancient city suggests that by its later years the wealth gap had fallen to levels typical of the first farming villages. He said the city lacked palaces, gold-filled tombs, and statues of rulers, while instead investing in brick-lined drainage, planned streets, and infrastructure that benefited everyday households.
The study, published in the journal Antiquity, also points to the spread of Indus seals and a standardized system of weights and measures as signs of broad access to trade tools and fairer exchange. Researchers say the findings challenge the idea that economic growth must be paired with rising inequality.
