- Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC): Discovered in 1924 by Sir John Marshall, it is one of the earliest urban civilizations in the world, contemporary to Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations.
- The Indus script remains undeciphered, making it a significant challenge in archaeology and linguistics.
Key Announcements by Tamil Nadu CM (2025):
- Prize for Deciphering Indus Script:
- Tamil Nadu government announced a prize of USD 1 million for anyone who can decipher the Indus script.
- This prize is given in the name of Epigraphist Iravadham Mahadevan to commemorate his memory
- The aim is to uncover the linguistic and cultural identity of the IVC.
- International Conference:
- A 3-day international conference was organized in Tamil Nadu to commemorate the centenary of the discovery of the Indus Valley Civilisation.
- Dravidian Connection:
- CM emphasized the theory that the Indus script could represent a Dravidian language, strengthening the cultural link between the IVC and ancient Tamil culture.
- Highlighted the bull symbol in the IVC as a recurring motif in Tamil culture, including its presence in jallikattu.
Key Points on Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC):
- Urban Features:
- Well-planned cities with grid-like streets, advanced drainage systems, and public baths.
- Prominent sites: Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Dholavira, and Lothal.
- Undeciphered Script:
- Written on seals, pottery, and other artifacts.
- Consists of pictographic symbols, with no conclusive evidence of phonetic or linguistic structure.
- Cultural Symbols:
- Bull and unicorn motifs on seals are significant.
- Bulls are associated with Dravidian culture, as seen in Tamil Nadu’s ancient literature and bull-taming traditions.
