Indus Valley Script

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced a $1 million prize for deciphering the Indus Valley Civilization script, which remains undeciphered despite numerous attempts over the past century.

• Indus script (~3300–1300 BCE) is the earliest writing system in the Indian subcontinent, undeciphered to date.
• Found at ~60 sites; ~3,500 specimens on seals, pottery, and amulets.
• Inscriptions are short (average 5 signs), written right to left, occasionally boustrophedon.
• Contains pictographic signs, human/animal motifs, and a unique ‘unicorn’ symbol.
• Deciphering could reveal links to Vedic practices and Dravidian/Indo-European languages.
• Key sites: Harappa, Lothal, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi, Kalibangan.
• Timeline: Early Harappan (3500–2600 BCE), Mature Harappan (2600–1900 BCE), Late Harappan (1900–1300 BCE).