More than 150 years ago, British archaeologists uncovered an ancient seal during excavations in Pakistan.
The seal had mysterious symbols that no one could understand. Since then, experts have tried to decode the writing, but no one has succeeded.
Now, there is a new reason to solve the puzzle. The government of Tamil Nadu, a state in India, has offered a $1 million reward to anyone who can crack the code, according to Historienet.
The discovery of the seal marked the beginning of research into the Indus civilization. This ancient society thrived around 5,000 years ago in what is now northwest India and Pakistan.
It had advanced cities, a strong economy, and trade connections with distant regions. Then, around 1300 BC, the civilization mysteriously collapsed.
The biggest mystery is the writing system. Researchers have found about 4,000 examples of inscriptions carved into seals, pottery, and stone tablets.
However, these texts are very short. The longest one is only 34 characters. This makes it extremely difficult to decipher the script.
Mohenjo-daro was the largest city of the Indus civilization. It covered an area of about 100 hectares and may have had a population of up to 40,000 people.
The city had impressive infrastructure, including well-planned streets and advanced drainage systems.
Recent studies have brought new hope. Researchers in Tamil Nadu have examined about 14,000 ancient pottery fragments.
When they compared these to Indus script, they found striking similarities. Experts say that the two scripts match by 60 percent.
Deciphering the script is not just about understanding the political and religious aspects of the Indus civilization.
It could also help solve a long-running debate about the origins of Indian languages.
Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, M. K. Stalin, emphasized this point. He stated that many people have long claimed that Aryan and Sanskrit languages are the roots of India’s linguistic history.
He argued that past assumptions should not replace real historical research.
The challenge remains. If someone can finally break the code, it will be one of the greatest linguistic discoveries of all time.
Until then, the mystery of the Indus script continues.
