Exam 11: An Explosion of Complexity: The Indus Valley and China

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The diffusionist school denied the abilities of the ancient people of South and East Asia, as well as the Americas by suggesting that the development of complex societies in these regions was not the result of independent invention or indigenous cultural evolution, but rather the result of cultural diffusion from a more advanced civilization. This perspective undermined the achievements and capabilities of these ancient societies by attributing their advancements to external influences rather than their own ingenuity and cultural development.

However, the archaeological record for the development of complex societies worldwide shows a combination of independent invention and diffusion. While there is evidence of cultural diffusion playing a role in the spread of ideas, technologies, and social structures, there is also ample evidence of independent invention and indigenous cultural evolution leading to the development of complex societies in various regions. This suggests that the abilities of ancient people in South and East Asia, as well as the Americas, should not be underestimated, as they were capable of independently developing complex societies and cultural achievements.

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The phrase "modest elite" refers to the idea that the Harappans, who were part of the ancient Indus Valley civilization, had a small and relatively humble ruling class or upper social stratum. This suggests that while there may have been some level of social hierarchy or leadership within Harappan society, it was not characterized by the extreme wealth and opulence often associated with other ancient civilizations. Instead, the elite members of Harappan society may have had more modest levels of wealth and power compared to other contemporary societies. This concept challenges traditional notions of highly stratified and unequal societies in ancient times and suggests a more balanced distribution of resources and power within the Harappan civilization.