Tamil Nadu CM announces $1 million prize for deciphering Indus Valley script

NEW DELHI: The chief minister of Tamil Nadu announced a prize of $1 million for anyone who can decipher the ancient script of the Indus Valley Civilisation.

The announcement was made during the inauguration of a three-day international conference commemorating the centenary of the civilization’s discovery, held at the Tamil Nadu Government Museum in Egmore.“We are still unable to clearly understand the script of the Indus Valley Civilization that once flourished,” Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said.

He emphasised the enduring mystery of the script, which has puzzled scholars for over a century, and expressed hope that the reward would incentivize researchers worldwide to unlock its secrets.

The Indus Valley Civilisation, existing from 3300?BCE to 1300?BCE, is one of the world’s earliest urban cultures. Despite extensive archaeological excavations, its script remains undeciphered, leaving a gap in understanding the civilisation’s language, culture, and contributions. Stalin noted that efforts are ongoing by scholars to solve this riddle and that numerous Indus sites have been excavated in the Indian subcontinent over the past 100 years.