Authorities in India are offering a $1,000,000 reward to anyone who can successfully decipher the Harappan Script, a mysterious 5,000-year-old writing system from the Indus Valley Civilization. Despite decades of study, experts have been unable to determine its meaning, as it lacks a multilingual counterpart to cross-reference with known languages. The script, often found on seals featuring a central animal and short inscriptions, has puzzled researchers since its discovery in 1875.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin announced the reward, stating it would go “to individuals or organizations that decipher the script to the satisfaction of archaeological experts.” Since the challenge was issued, engineers, IT professionals, and even retirees have claimed to have cracked the code, though none have been officially recognized.
Rajesh PN Rao, a professor at the University of Washington who has studied the script extensively, noted that many claim they have solved it, insisting “the case is closed.” However, no individual or team has yet met the stringent criteria set by experts, and the mystery remains unsolved.
The Harappan Script represents one of the last undeciphered writing systems from an ancient civilization. While theories suggest it recorded trade or administrative activities rather than spiritual texts, the true meaning remains elusive. With the million-dollar reward at stake, researchers and amateur codebreakers alike continue the race to unlock one of history’s greatest linguistic puzzles.
