Tamil Nadu CM announces prize for experts and organisations deciphering Indus Valley Civilisation scripts.
Key points of Indus Valley Civilisation script
Announcement by Tamil Nadu Government
- Tamil Nadu CM announces a prize of $1 million to experts and organisations deciphering Indus Valley Civilisation scripts.
Study by Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department
- 90% of ancient symbols recovered from 140 archaeological sites in the state, such as Keeladi, show similarity with Indus Valley Civilisation symbols.
- Researchers studied 15,184 symbols, of which some symbols were exactly the same and some had close resemblance.
Major symbols and similarities: Several common symbols were found between South India and the Indus Valley Civilization:
- Arrow-shaped symbols (with triangle or flower-shaped heads)
- Fish symbols (common and precise forms)
- ‘U’ shaped symbols
- Simple round symbols
- Ladder-shaped symbols
- Square box
- ‘X’ shaped symbols
- Swastika symbols (both clockwise and counterclockwise)
Context of Indus Valley Civilization
- The Indus Valley Civilization existed between approximately 3300 BC and 1300 BC.
- This study is helpful in understanding the cultural connections between South India and the Indus Valley.
Indus Valley Script
- Distribution and Length: Found at approximately 60 excavation sites.
- More than 3500 specimens are available, mostly found in stone seals, terracotta, faience amulets and pottery fragments.
Structure of the script
- Partially pictographic signs.
- Human and animal figures, ‘unicorn‘ symbols, and artistic designs showing “controlled realism”.
Indus Valley Civilization
- Also called the Harappan Civilization, it flourished from 2600 BC to 1900 BC.
- Its earliest habitations go back to 3200 BC, and its origins are linked to Mehrgarh (7000 BC) in Balochistan.
- It is considered one of the three early civilizations (along with Egypt and Mesopotamia).
- Geographical extent: The civilization covered an area of about 15 lakh sq km, which includes modern India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Key features
- City planning: Cities arranged in a grid layout, crisscrossing roads and strong fortifications.
- Drainage system: Advanced drainage system with underground sewers and covered drains.
- Storage and trade: Granaries, warehouses and ports.
- Seals: Steatite seals engraved with animals and illegible script.
- Artifacts: Pottery, bead making, terracotta sculptures, metal objects, and weaving.
- Water management: Reservoirs, wells, and bathhouses.
Discovery credits
- Harappa (1921-22): Daya Ram Sahni.
- Mohenjo Daro (1922): Rakhal Das Banerjee.
- John Marshall: Discovered the vastness of the civilization by finding similarities in the discoveries of Harappa and Mohenjo Daro.