Answer

The Indus Valley Civilization’s script, comprising over 4,000 seals and inscriptions, remains undeciphered, posing a challenge to understanding this advanced Bronze Age culture (2500–1900 BCE). UNESCO estimates that the script contains 400–600 unique symbols. Its absence of bilingual texts, short inscriptions, and lack of consensus on linguistic lineage hinder its interpretation.

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The Script of the Indus Valley Civilisation Remains Undeciphered

• Limited script samples: The brevity of the inscriptions, often containing only 4-5 symbols, makes it difficult to ascertain grammar, syntax, or language structure.
  For example: Most Indus seals discovered are just 1-2 inches with brief symbols, unlike the Rosetta Stone, which provided extensive text for decipherment.
• Absence of bilingual inscriptions: Unlike the Rosetta Stone, no bilingual texts have been found to compare and decode the Indus script.
  For example: Mesopotamian inscriptions provide comparisons for cuneiform, but Indus seals lack a similar parallel in other ancient languages.
• Ambiguity of script function: Scholars debate whether the script represents a writing system or symbolic/administrative markings with no linguistic basis.
  For example: Western scholars argue the Indus symbols resemble tokens used in early trade systems rather than a full-fledged writing system.
• Lack of context: Many seals and symbols are found out of their original archaeological context, making interpretations speculative.
  For example: Excavations at Mohenjo-daro often yielded seals in debris layers, with no clear association to artifacts or urban functions.
• Destruction of sites: Urban expansion and neglect have destroyed many IVC sites, reducing the number of decipherable artifacts.
  For example: Sites like Kalibangan have been encroached upon, limiting access to inscriptions and archaeological layers.

Challenges Faced in Decoding the Script

• Inaccessible database: Researchers often lack comprehensive access to Indus inscriptions due to incomplete digitization and restrictive policies.
  For example: Many seal databases remain unpublished, preventing scholars worldwide from conducting systematic linguistic or computational analysis.
• Political sensitivities: Interpretations linking the script to specific linguistic or cultural groups often face political resistance and controversy.
  For example: Claims of a “Dravidian” connection face opposition from groups favoring an “Aryan” interpretation, complicating unbiased research.
• Fragmented regional efforts: South Asian countries have not coordinated well on joint research due to political and logistical differences.
  For example: India and Pakistan, key stakeholders of IVC heritage, have minimal collaborative archaeological programs.
• Technological limitations: Advances in computational linguistics and AI remain underutilized for pattern recognition in the script.
  For example: While AI decoded Mayan symbols, Indus seals lack sufficient annotated data for similar machine-learning applications.
• Environmental degradation: Flooding and climate change threaten to further erode existing sites and inscriptions.
  For example: Mohenjo-daro faced severe damage from floods in 2022, exacerbating the loss of its unique artifacts.

Measures to Promote Collaborative Research

• Open access to databases: Centralize and digitize all seal and artifact data, ensuring global accessibility with proper archaeological context.
  For example: Platforms like Europeana model successful digitization of heritage data, which can guide similar Indus-related initiatives.
• International research programs: Foster partnerships among South Asian nations and global universities for interdisciplinary and politically neutral studies.
  For example: UNESCO-coordinated projects on Mesopotamian artifacts demonstrate effective multinational collaboration.
• Adopt advanced technology: Leverage AI, machine learning, and computational models to analyze script patterns and linguistic probabilities.
  For example: The decipherment of the Voynich Manuscript utilized machine-learning algorithms trained on known medieval scripts.
• Public awareness campaigns: Encourage funding and interest by highlighting the importance of the Indus script in understanding ancient history.
  For example: Tamil Nadu’s prize initiative demonstrates how financial incentives can renew focus on cultural and linguistic mysteries.
• Preserve excavation sites: Implement stricter regulations to protect archaeological sites from destruction due to urbanization or natural disasters.
  For example: The preservation of Egypt’s Valley of the Kings offers lessons on safeguarding ancient heritage from human encroachment.

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Deciphering the script demands multidisciplinary collaboration between linguists, AI researchers, and archaeologists. Initiatives like UNESCO’s digital archiving programs and global funding for AI-based pattern recognition could bridge gaps. A dedicated international research consortium can foster breakthroughs, aiding in reconstructing the socio-cultural and economic aspects of this enigmatic civilization.

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