A very well produced and visually rich introduction to the ancient Indus civilization with Namit Arora, the first of a six part series on the long history of Indians today. Extensive scenes of Dholavira and its possible stadium. Sticks to the facts, and is generally careful about speculation.
The author brings together a great deal of information to argue that "inscribed stamp-seals were primarily used for enforcing certain rules involving taxation, trade/craft control, commodity control and access control," and in relating stamp seals and tablets, that "such tablets were possibly trade/craft/commodity-specific licenses issued to tax-collectors, traders, and artisans," (p. 1).
We turned 28 this year - founded in 1995! - and wish the thousands of people who come to the site every day from all over the world to learn about the ancient Indus civilization a very Happy New Year.
Dr. Asko Parpola takes an in-depth look at the recent claims of other researchers like Bryan K. Wells and Andreas Fuls that the Indus script has upward of 700 different signs.
A must-read paper for those fascinated by the extensive trade networks that the ancient Indus civilization was integrated with. Infused with the latest research from the many regions in question, it summarizes and delves into the evidence of people, texts, animals, minerals and plants to seals and weights, pottery, stone, metal and ivory objects, statues, games and toys and more.
A very nicely illustrated exposition of the unique set of 70 baked clay sealings found in Lothal, Gujarat by an archaeologist who has long been investigating what they tell us about ancient Indus trade and administrative practices.
