The government of Tamil Nadu, India, has announced a reward of €960,000 (approximately $1 million) for anyone who can decipher the writing of the Indus Valley civilization, a language that is 5,300 years old.
This decision follows a recent study indicating similarities between the Indus script and inscriptions found on local pottery. MK Stalin, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, made the announcement, emphasizing the challenge involved in understanding this ancient language.
The Indus Valley civilization, also known as Harappan, thrived around 5,300 years ago in what is now north-west India and parts of Pakistan. Its inhabitants were primarily farmers and traders, contributing to one of the earliest urban societies. The reasons for the civilization's decline remain uncertain, with no evidence of warfare or natural disasters recorded.
The Indus script comprises approximately 4,000 short inscriptions, mainly found on seals and pottery. Linguistic theories suggest connections between this script and early Brahmi writing, Indo-Aryan languages, and Sumerian. Deciphering the script could provide insights into the governance and beliefs of the Indus Valley people.
Despite extensive efforts by linguists and archaeologists, the Indus script continues to be undeciphered, leaving researchers in search of a key similar to the Rosetta Stone or an Enigma machine.