Authorities are offering a $1 million prize to anyone who can successfully decode a 5,000-year-old script that has left experts stumped for decades.
This mysterious writing system, known as the Harappan Script or Indus Valley Script (IVS), was developed by the Indus Valley Civilization, which thrived over 5,300 years ago in what is now northern India and Pakistan. While the civilization eventually vanished, it left behind thousands of inscriptions that provide valuable insights into their way of life—if only they could be understood.
Can you decipher the script? (DEA/G. NIMATALLAH/Getty)
The script was first discovered in 1875 by Sir Alexander Cunningham, founder of the Archaeological Survey of India. He came across six symbols that didn’t match any known Indian scripts. Since then, more than 7,000 similar inscriptions have been found, often featuring a central animal alongside a brief sequence of characters. Despite extensive efforts, scholars have been unable to decipher them, largely due to the absence of multilingual artifacts for comparison.
Unlike many ancient texts that revolve around religious or spiritual themes, researchers believe the Harappan Script records practical activities. Yet, even with modern technology, linguists, archaeologists, and cryptographers have been unable to break the code.
In light of this, Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin, has announced a $1 million reward for anyone who can successfully decode the script to the satisfaction of archaeological experts.
The challenge has drawn significant attention, with engineers, IT professionals, and even retirees in India claiming to have cracked the code. However, Rajesh PN Rao, a leading expert from the University of Washington, remains unconvinced. “Many insist they’ve solved it, but the case isn’t closed yet,” he stated.
For now, the million-dollar reward remains unclaimed, awaiting the individual who can finally unlock the secrets of this ancient civilization—and make history in the process.
