History Indus Valley Civilization Questions Medium
The evidence of writing and record-keeping in the Indus Valley Civilization is primarily found in the form of seals and inscriptions. The most significant discovery is the presence of thousands of seals made of steatite (a soft stone) that were used for various administrative and commercial purposes. These seals were intricately carved with unique symbols and motifs, often depicting animals, humans, and mythical creatures.
The seals also contained short inscriptions in a script that is yet to be deciphered, known as the Indus script. This script is one of the oldest writing systems in the world, dating back to around 2600-1900 BCE. The Indus script is found on a variety of objects, including pottery, tablets, and small copper plates.
Apart from the seals, there are also some longer inscriptions found on pottery and other objects, but their meaning remains unknown. The lack of a bilingual inscription or a Rosetta Stone-like discovery has made it challenging to decipher the Indus script and understand the language and writing system of the Indus Valley Civilization.
Additionally, the presence of well-planned cities with a sophisticated urban infrastructure, such as well-constructed roads, drainage systems, and public buildings, suggests a level of administrative organization and record-keeping. The layout of the cities, with their grid-like patterns and standardized brick sizes, indicates a high level of urban planning and management.
Overall, while the evidence of writing and record-keeping in the Indus Valley Civilization is abundant, the inability to decipher the Indus script has limited our understanding of the specific details of their writing system and the information recorded.