Which civilization is recognized for constructing advanced urban centers with complex architecture?

The Indus Valley civilizations, which thrived from approximately 2500 to 1900 BCE, are particularly notable for their sophisticated urban planning and advanced architecture. The cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro exemplify this prowess, featuring well-organized street layouts, advanced drainage systems, and standardized fired brick construction. These urban centers included impressive public buildings, granaries, and residential areas that were meticulously designed to accommodate large populations, showcasing a high degree of social organization and planning.

The urban centers of the Indus Valley exhibit a level of complexity in their layouts and infrastructure that demonstrates an understanding of city planning that was advanced for their time. They utilized a grid-pattern street layout and built sophisticated drainage and water supply systems, indicating an awareness of urban sanitation and civil engineering.

While other civilizations like the Yellow River civilizations, Egyptian civilizations, and Mesoamerican civilizations also demonstrated advanced architecture and city planning in their own contexts, the Indus Valley civilizations stand out for the systematic approach they took to urban development and their unique contributions to architectural techniques and city design.