4K years ago, Mohenjo-daro grew more equal over time

A new study of Mohenjo-daro, a major Indus Civilization city that flourished between 2600-1900 BCE, reveals that inequality actually decreased over time rather than increasing as cities grew, contradicting conventional archaeological assumptions. Researchers analyzing housing patterns found lower economic inequality in Mohenjo-daro compared to other ancient urban centers like Mesopotamian and Bronze Age Greek cities, with the wealth gap narrowing as the city expanded and prospered. Rather than investing in royal palaces and monuments to elite rulers, Mohenjo-daro focused resources on public infrastructure like drainage systems and organized streets accessible to all residents, suggesting a governance model based on collective welfare rather than centralized power.