约克大学的考古研究揭示了一个打破常规的历史现象。[1]距今约4000年的莫亨佐-达罗城是印度河文明最大的城市，随着这座城市的发展成熟，其社会反而变得更加平等，贫富差距逐步缩小。[1]该研究由约克大学考古系博士亚当·格林主导，成果已发表在《Antiquity》期刊。[1]
这座古城的平等特征在多个方面得到体现。最大和最小住宅的规模差距随时间推移而减小，[1]且迄今未发现任何已知的王宫、金陵墓或统治者雕像。[1]相反，莫亨佐-达罗的公共投资流向了实用的共享基础设施，包括砖砌排水系统和布局有序的街道。[1]印度河玺印通常在普通住宅中出现，而非集中于公共建筑。[1]此外，城市采用了标准化的度量衡系统，促进了公平交易。[1]
更引人瞩目的是生产力与平等的关系。格林博士指出："在不平等程度最低的时期，生产率似乎上升了。"[1]这项研究表明，高度发达的城市社会可以在保持生产力的同时实现资源和权力的公平分配。
Archaeological research conducted by the University of York has revealed that Mohenjo-daro, one of the largest cities of the Indus Valley Civilization approximately 4,000 years ago, became progressively more egalitarian as it developed rather than following the typical trajectory toward greater inequality [1]. The city prioritized shared infrastructure over palatial or religious monuments, investing in brick-built drainage systems and orderly street layouts that benefited all residents [1]. Additionally, Mohenjo-daro employed standardized weights and measures to facilitate fair trade, demonstrating that highly advanced urban societies could maintain productivity while distributing resources and power equitably [1].
The evidence supporting this unusual pattern is substantial. The gap in size between the largest and smallest dwellings narrowed as the city matured, and the city contained no known palace, royal tombs, or statues of rulers [1]. Indus Valley seals were found scattered throughout ordinary residences rather than concentrated in public buildings, suggesting a decentralized power structure [1]. According to Dr. Adam Green, who led the study published in the journal Antiquity, "productivity appears to have risen during periods of the lowest inequality" [1].