The Indus Valley script, used by a civilization that flourished 5,000 years ago in modern-day Pakistan and northwest India, remains undeciphered. The Tamil Nadu government is offering a $1 million reward for cracking the code of these symbols, which appear on artifacts dating back to 4,000 BCE.
The script, comprised of inscriptions averaging four to six symbols, has defied decipherment for over a century. One cryptographer, Yajnadevam (aka Bharath Rao), suggests Sanskrit may be the root language.
This Bronze Age society built planned cities like Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, showcasing advanced urban planning with drainage systems and multi-story buildings. The civilization mysteriously disappeared around 1900 BCE.
The script is the earliest known representation of writing on the Indian subcontinent, but its origins and connection to current Indian writing systems remain unknown. Researchers are using AI and machine learning to identify patterns in the script, which consists of 67 symbols that make up 80% of the writing. The longest inscription contains 36 symbols. Deciphering the script could reveal insights into the Indus people's governance, religious beliefs, and trading practices.