Archaeologists have been trying to decode the Indus Valley symbols for decades; in fact, since the first expeditions to Mohenjo
Daro and Harappa in 1924. But the script has yet to be deciphered. That raises a natural question - do the Indus Valley
inscriptions constitute a script, or are they merely pictoral signs? The script has been subject to computer analysis to compile a list of the most frequently repeating signs & inscriptions, as well as different combinations of signs.
The source of most of these signs / inscriptions are the Indus Valley seals, many of which were found near the ancient sites of Mohenjo Daro and Harappa. Most of these seals display images of Lord Pasupati, figures of animals (tigers, elephants, etc.) and rows of symbols.The seals were generally made of steatite or terracotta. In addition to the seals, a huge billboard (some nine feet long) has also been unearthed at Dholavira.
What do we know for certain about the Indus Valley script? In fact, very little is known for certain, and whatever little is known is subject to conjecture and reinterpretation.
1. The Indus Valley script is (generally) believed to have been a Dravidian script such as Bruhui, though the Sanskrit hypothesis cannot be ruled out.
2. Unlike the Sanskrit script, the Indus Valley script is written from right to left.
3. The Indus Valley script consists mostly of word signs.
4. The Indus Valley seals contain messages (and not just names of priests, rulers etc...)
Emerging about 2,500 B.C., the Indus Valley was a civilization as ancient as Mesopotamia, and as grand as Egypt. A timeline (for its discovery) has been included in this article:
1785 - Sanskrit, Greek and Latin are shown to belong to the same language of families
1846 - Max Mueller's commentaries on the Rig Veda.
1873 - Seals first discovered at Harappa. They are believed to be evidence of writing.
1924 - First expedition to Mohenjo Daro and Harappa.
1929 - A compendium of all seals excavated prepared for the first time.
1950 - Dravidian hypothesis of Indus Valley script advanced.
1997 - Dholavira (in Gujarat) last major site to be excavated.