Why it is difficult to decipher the Harappan script?

“Our studies suggest that the Indus script had a rich syntax with an underlying logic in its structure. In the absence of a bilingual text, like the Rosetta Stone which helped in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs, Indus script researchers say the going ahead is difficult.

Can we read Harappan writings?

There is no consensus on how to read them, although dozens of speculative decipherments have been proposed over the past century. Complicating efforts, the underlying language the script is tied to is disputed, and there are complex modern-day political ramifications to the question.

Why have we not deciphered the Indus script?

Discovered from nearly 4,000 ancient inscribed objects, including seals, tablets, ivory rods, pottery shards, etc., the Indus inscriptions are one of the most enigmatic legacies of the Indus Valley civilization which have not been deciphered due to the absence of bilingual texts, extreme brevity of the inscriptions.

Why can’t we read the Harappan language?

So far, the Indus writing system could not be translated because the texts are too short, we have no bilingual inscription and we do not which language or languages were transcribed. Moreover, it is possible that it worked differently from any other writing system of the same general period.

Who worked on decipherment of Indus script?

Asko Parpola
Generally recognized as the world’s expert on the Indus script, Asko Parpola has been studying this undeciphered writing for over 40 years at the University of Helsinki in Finland.

Will Linear A ever be deciphered?

Linear A was the primary script used in palace and religious writings of the Minoan civilization. It was discovered by archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans. It was succeeded by Linear B, which was used by the Mycenaeans to write an early form of Greek. No texts in Linear A have yet been deciphered.

Which script is still now undeciphered?

The last important reason why the Indus Script remains undeciphered, and possibly the most debated of all, is that the language (or languages) that the script represents is still unknown.

WHO fully deciphered the Harappan script?

Generally recognized as the world’s expert on the Indus script, Asko Parpola has been studying this undeciphered writing for over 40 years at the University of Helsinki in Finland.

Who read Harappan script?

Can the Harappan language be deciphered?

In my opinion the Harappan language has been deciphered, and it was an early member of the Dravidian language family. The main hurdles in the decipherment of the Indus script include: 5. apparent discontinuity in the cultural traditions at the decline of the Indus Valley civilization.

How many characters are there in a Harappan inscription?

Seal impression showing a typical inscription of five characters. Collection of seals. The Indus script (also known as the Harappan script) is a corpus of symbols produced by the Indus Valley Civilisation during the Kot Diji and Mature Harappan periods between 3500 and 1900 BCE.

Why can’t the Indus script be translated?

Also the script does not connect to any later writing system or to any specific language. So far, the Indus writing system could not be translated because the texts are too short, we have no bilingual inscription and we do not which language or languages were transcribed.

How were Indus signs used in the Mature Harappan period?

In the Mature Harappan period, from about 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE, strings of Indus signs are commonly found on flat, rectangular stamp seals as well as many other objects including tools, tablets, ornaments and pottery. The signs were written in many ways, including carving, chiseling, painting and embossing,…