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Seals and Script

Seals were used in the Indus Valley civilization for purposes like long distance trade, maintaining intact deliveries, and as identity proofs. Most seals depicted animals, while some showed mythical creatures. Numerous Indus seals have been found in ancient Mesopotamian cities, indicating trade contacts. Over 400 basic signs make up the undeciphered Indus script, which was generally written from right to left but sometimes alternated directions. The script reflects the civilization's literacy but has not been decoded due to a lack of bilingual inscriptions.

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65 views

Seals and Script

Seals were used in the Indus Valley civilization for purposes like long distance trade, maintaining intact deliveries, and as identity proofs. Most seals depicted animals, while some showed mythical creatures. Numerous Indus seals have been found in ancient Mesopotamian cities, indicating trade contacts. Over 400 basic signs make up the undeciphered Indus script, which was generally written from right to left but sometimes alternated directions. The script reflects the civilization's literacy but has not been decoded due to a lack of bilingual inscriptions.

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RBLUP
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MAP TO REMEMBER

MESOPOTAMIA INDUS VALLEY


SEALS, SEALING AND SCRIPT
1. Seals were used to make a sealing, or positive imprint, like this modern resin, one
made from the original seal. Sealings were used in ancient times for
trade. They would be made on Steatite or the clay tags used to seal the rope
around bundles of goods.
2. Most of the seals have the figures of real animals while a few bear the figure of
mythical animals. The seals are rectangular, circular or even cylindrical in shape.
3.

4. Ancient Mesopotamian seals from the same period functioned in this manner.
Numerous Indus seals have been found in ancient Mesopotamian cities. There is
evidence for settlements of Indus valley traders in ancient Mesopotamia
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SEALS & SEALINGS

SEALS SEALINGS

A device with a cut or raised


emblem, symbol, or word used
especially to certify a signature or
authenticate a document.

Sealings are an
embossed or raised
impression of seal.
Why seals were made in Indus Valley Civilization?
a)For Long Distance Trade.
b) For maintaining intact temper proof delivery.
c)May be a kind of Identity proof of traders or officials or place of
origin.
d) As an amulet (small holes on top suggest so).

Significance of seals
The seals show the culture and civilization of the Indus Valley people. In
particular, they indicate:
a. Dresses, ornaments, hair-styles of people.
b. Skill of artists and sculptors.
c. Trade contacts and commercial relations.
d. Religious beliefs.
e. SCRIPT.
SCRIPT OF INDUS VALLEY
CIVILIZATION
I. The Indus Script is the writing system developed by
the Indus Valley Civilization and it is the earliest form of
writing known in the Indian subcontinent.
II. the Indus Script has not been deciphered
III. Slightly over 400 basic signs have been identified as
part of the Indus Script.
IV. No bilingual inscriptions ever found unlike Mesopotamia
and Egypt. SAMPLE
What is it known about the Indus script?
1) The Indus Script was generally written from right to
left. 
2) Pictographic script.
3) Some exceptions where the writing is bi-directional
(Boustrophedon), which means that the direction of
the writing is in one direction on one line but in the
opposite direction on the next line.
4) Roughly 400 signs have been identified.
5) Reflects the literacy, unlikely to come on the spread of
the same due to paucity of evidences.

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