Asko Parpola

Asko Parpola
Yes, there are still many unread cuneiform texts in the museums. [The ancient Indus trade village in Mesopotamia of] Guabba could be identified from one such text.

What are the difficulties which makes it impossible to decipher the Harappan language? Aren't there any similarities with other languages?

Scholars answer another question from site visitors.

Another question answered by expert ancient Indus scholars.

Among the more intriguing questions from site visitors, answered by three Indus archaeologists, from India, Italy and Finland.

Another answer from our panel of ancient Indus experts to a question posed by site visitors.

Some similarities have been found in the glyphs between Rongorongo and Indus writing. As well, the direction of writing (boustrophedon) might be the same/similar to Indus. What do scholars say?

"There can be no doubt that some Indus seals are fine artistic achievements. Probably one of the main functions of the seal's iconographic motifs, and the quality of their carving, was to convey the status of the seal owner."

Would it not be good idea to publish them so many people can see them and try their conclusions?

The Babylonian texts like Code of Hammurabi in Akkadian and Sumerian seals of Urukagina state legal codes and regulations. Although the Indus script hasn't been deciphered, have any of the excavations resulted in similar seals which contain major textual references or is the Indus script just used as a tool for decoration?

Answered by Massimo Vidale, Asko Parpola and Mayank Vahia.