Indus script A Harappan seal and its impression showing the Indus, or Harappan, script. (more) Indus script writing system Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Harappan-script Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Also known as: Harappan script Written by Teagan Wolter Teagan Wolter is Associate Editor of Anthropology at Encyclopædia Britannica. Teagan Wolter Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Sep 5, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot Also called: Harappan script (Show more) { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " When did the Indus script develop? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The Indus script was fully developed by about 2600 bce. Some of the signs have their origin in earlier symbols found on pottery dating back as far as the Ravi phase (3900u20132800 bce). Early forms of many characters, however, date to the later Kot Diji phase (2800u20132600 bce)." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " Why is the Indus script difficult to decipher? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The Indus script remains undeciphered because of the brevity of the inscriptions written in the script and the lack of bilingual inscriptions. The fact that the language the script represents is unknown has complicated attempts to understand the inscriptions. More than a hundred attempts to decipher the Indus script have been published but none widely accepted." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What are some theories about the language of the Indus script? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Scholars disagree on languages and scripts that may be connected to the Indus script. Suggestions have included Sumerian, Hurrian, Elamite, proto-Elamite, Old Slavic, Altaic, and Egyptian. Some suggest connections to Dravidian or Indo-Aryan. Other scholars argue that the Indus script represents a pictographic system for a multilingual population." } } ] } Top Questions When did the Indus script develop? The Indus script was fully developed by about 2600 bce. Some of the signs have their origin in earlier symbols found on pottery dating back as far as the Ravi phase (3900–2800 bce). Early forms of many characters, however, date to the later Kot Diji phase (2800–2600 bce).

　　Why is the Indus script difficult to decipher? The Indus script remains undeciphered because of the brevity of the inscriptions written in the script and the lack of bilingual inscriptions. The fact that the language the script represents is unknown has complicated attempts to understand the inscriptions. More than a hundred attempts to decipher the Indus script have been published but none widely accepted.

　　What are some theories about the language of the Indus script? Scholars disagree on languages and scripts that may be connected to the Indus script. Suggestions have included Sumerian, Hurrian, Elamite, proto-Elamite, Old Slavic, Altaic, and Egyptian. Some suggest connections to Dravidian or Indo-Aryan. Other scholars argue that the Indus script represents a pictographic system for a multilingual population.

　　Indus script, system of symbols used in inscriptions of the Indus civilization. It is known from a few thousand inscriptions that vary from 1 to 34 characters in length. About 400 unique signs have been identified. Despite decades of research, the script remains undeciphered. Early scholars of the Indus script claimed that it was developed rapidly in the middle of the 3rd millennium bce. However, more recent examinations suggest that the characters have their origin in earlier symbols found on pottery. Although potters’ marks and post-firing graffiti appear on pottery as early as 4500 bce, the earliest predecessors of the ...(100 of 588 words)

　　Continue reading with Britannica Premium The trusted destination for facts and information 7-Day Free Trial, No Ads, Unlimited Access Subscribe Today