016 Indus Seal

This small seal, shown on the right of your screen, is carved with the image of a cow-like animal. The animal is shown in profile, so we only see one of its horns. This has led many people to mistake it for a unicorn. Above this image there are several symbols incised in the stone. It is thought that these are letters or words from an ancient writing system. Although scholars have worked out some of the probable sounds connected with the symbols, the script may never be deciphered. The seals—like seals everywhere—probably carry nothing more than the names of individuals. Until longer inscriptions—with full sentences—are discovered, the Indus seal inscription will remain an unsolved riddle.

These seals provide clues about the economy, art and religion of an ancient people who lived in the Indus Valley around 5000 years ago. The River Indus is situated in modern Pakistan and northern India. This seal is made from steatite, a soft stone that can harden when fired. It was used to stamp an impression into wax or clay. Seals were probably used to secure bundles of goods for trade, and the number of seals found to date suggests they were used right across the Indus region. They are evidence for a highly organized system of government and culture, with wide-ranging trade networks.

The designs often carry complex motifs of humans, animals and plants. They suggest a complex belief system with special reverence for sacred animals but, until the writing system is decoded, we will only be able to speculate about the beliefs of the Indus people.