Inequality Fell as (Bronze Age) Mohenjo-Daro Grew
A recent study reveals that housing inequality in the ancient city of Mohenjo-daro decreased over four centuries. The Gini coefficient for residential disparity dropped significantly, indicating a trend towards greater egalitarianism. This finding challenges the conventional belief that urbanization inherently leads to increased inequality.
- ▪The Gini coefficient of residential disparity in Mohenjo-daro fell to 0.23 by around 2100 BC.
- ▪Mohenjo-daro was one of the most complex urban environments of its time, with advanced infrastructure and trade networks.
- ▪The study's findings suggest that Mohenjo-daro became more equal as it developed, contrary to traditional theories about urban inequality.
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| Original publisher | Hacker News (Newest) |
| Canonical URL | https://www.anthropology.net/p/inequality-fell-as-mohenjo-daro-grew |
| Publication time | Sat, 23 May 2026 23:21:17 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-23T23:37:28.607Z |
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Evolutionary Insights by Anthropology.netInequality Fell as Mohenjo-daro Grew721×0:00Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -19:14-19:14Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade.Inequality Fell as Mohenjo-daro GrewNew Gini analysis of Bronze Age house sizes shows the Indus city became more egalitarian over four centuries, not lessMay 19, 202672ShareTranscriptIn the oldest levels of a neighborhood called DK-G South, the houses are large. The largest date to around 2500 BC and cover more than 160 square meters of floor plan. This isn’t surprising for a Bronze Age city. What’s surprising is what happens next.Over the following four centuries, as Mohenjo-daro continued to grow and fill in, housing inequality fell. Not marginally.
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