The Indus Script
Structural Analysis by Parpola
No attempt at linguistic decipherment of an unknown script can hope to succeed unless it is preceded by a thorough structural analysis of the available inscriptions to
Essays on the symbols and study of the written communication or script system used by the ancient Indus Valley civilization.
The Indus Script
Parpola's Methodology of Decipherment
Parpola's methodology for deciphering the Indus script consists essentially of two parts, namely the rebus principle generally applicable to all ancient
The Indus Script
The 'Fish' Signs
Fig. 1: Number and Fish Signs
The 'fish' sign: Starting Point
As the starting point for his linguistic decipherment Parpola accepts the famous rebus (Fig.
The Indus Script
The Planets
Fig. 2: Modified Fish Signs
'Modified fish' signs: Planets and a Star
The Indus texts very often feature the 'fish' sign modified by some diacritic-like markings (Fig.II). These signs
The Indus Script
The Star Rohini
Fig. 2: Modified Fish Signs
The Star Rohini
Parpola starts with the assumption that the 'dot + fish' sign (Fig.II d) occurring in the 'Fig Deity' seal is likely to represent the deity
The Indus Script
The Planets
'Bangles' Sign: God Murukan
Fig. 3: Bangles and Squirrel Sign
The principal deity of early Tamils was Murakan, the youthful god of war and love, who became identified with the North
The Indus Script
The Indus Squirrel Sign: Title of Murukan
The 'Squirrel' Sign: Title of Murukan
Fig. 3: Bangles and Squirrel Sign
Parpola has proposed reading a pair of signs as 'bangles + squirrel' (Fig.III b),
The Indus Script
Fig Indus Tree + Crab Sign as Proto Rudra
'Fig Tree + Crab' Sign: Proto-Rudra
Fig. 4: Fig Tree + Crab Sign and Components
Parpola refers to two sets of copper tablets, both with the same inscription
The Indus Script
Assessment of Parpola's Model of Decipherment
One can try to assess Parpola's decipherment at two levels.
Full Text Version of Deciphering the Indus Script
1. Meeting the Challenge of the Indus Script
In 1920, excavations at Harappa brought to light the ruins of a large brick-laid city, and soon a whole unknown civilization was uncovered in and around