$1 Million Prize Offered to Decipher Indus Script

Why in the news?

Tamil Nadu announces a $1-million prize for successfully deciphering the Indus Valley Civilization’s script, which has eluded scholars for over a century. This initiative follows a study linking Indus symbols to South Indian graffiti marks.

$1 Million Prize Offered to Decipher Indus Script

About the Mystery of the Indus Script:

The Enigma of Indus Script Decipherment

  • The script of the Indus Valley Civilization has remained undeciphered for over a century despite numerous attempts by scholars.
  • The recent announcement of a $1-million prize by Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, MK Stalin, for anyone who can successfully decode the script has revived interest.
  • A study published by Tamil Nadu’s Department of Archaeology revealed “parallels” between the symbols found in South Indian graffiti and those in the Indus Valley.
  • While over 100 documented attempts have been made to decipher the script, no consensus has emerged regarding its interpretation.

Challenges in Decoding the Script

  • The script, found on seals and terracotta tablets, contains a variety of symbols but lacks multilingual inscriptions that could provide a point of reference, unlike the Rosetta Stone.
  • Scholars disagree on the number of symbols in the script, with estimates ranging from 62 to 676 signs.
  • Another key challenge is the lack of knowledge regarding the language, which impedes efforts to match phonetic sounds to the symbols.

Alternative Theories on the Indus Script

  • Some researchers propose that the Indus script was not a true writing system but rather a series of symbols with political or religious significance, similar to modern-day branding or marking systems.
  • The Dravidian hypothesis, proposed by scholars like Asko Parpola, suggests that the script has Dravidian roots, but this theory remains contested by others.
  • Despite debates, further archaeological discoveries are needed to advance the understanding of this ancient civilization’s writing system.

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times