No one knows what this ancient script says. Now there’s a $1 million prize to crack the code | CNN

CNN - Feb 28th, 2025
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The mysterious script of the Indus Valley civilization, an ancient culture spanning modern-day Pakistan and northern India, remains undeciphered despite decades of research. The script, composed of enigmatic symbols like a fish under a roof or a headless stick figure, could provide insights into a civilization that rivaled ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. The stakes are high, with a $1 million prize offered by the Tamil Nadu state leader to anyone who can crack the code. This challenge has reignited interest and debate among scholars, researchers, and amateur enthusiasts worldwide.

Deciphering the script is not just an academic pursuit but a politically charged endeavor that could reshape understandings of South Asian pre-history. The script's origins are hotly contested, with theories linking it to Dravidian or Indo-European languages, each carrying cultural and historical significance. The scarcity of artifacts and the lack of a bilingual reference like the Rosetta Stone complicate the task. Researchers, such as Rajesh P. N. Rao and Nisha Yadav, continue to explore computational methods to identify patterns, while others focus on symbol interpretations, hoping to unlock a glimpse into the lives and ideologies of the Indus people.

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RATING

7.0
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the ongoing efforts to decipher the Indus Valley script, effectively balancing factual information with engaging storytelling. It accurately presents the current state of research and the challenges faced by scholars, supported by credible expert opinions. While the article offers a balanced representation of different theories, it could benefit from a wider range of sources and more detailed transparency regarding research methodologies. The topic is timely and of significant public interest, with potential implications for understanding ancient history and cultural heritage. The article is well-structured and readable, making complex topics accessible to a general audience, though it could delve deeper into the technical aspects of the research. Overall, the article successfully captures the intrigue of an ancient mystery while providing a thoughtful analysis of its significance.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story is largely accurate in its depiction of the Indus Valley script and the ongoing efforts to decipher it. It correctly states the offering of a $1 million prize by the Tamil Nadu government for deciphering the script, which has been widely reported in other sources. The article accurately describes the characteristics of the script, such as the limited number of inscriptions and the lack of a bilingual artifact like the Rosetta Stone, which complicates decipherment efforts. However, some claims, such as the potential for the script to resolve debates about the origins of the Indo-European or Dravidian languages, require further verification and evidence. The historical context of the Indus Valley Civilization's collapse is presented accurately, but the role of climate change as a definitive cause is still a subject of academic debate and not conclusively proven.

7
Balance

The article provides a balanced view by presenting multiple perspectives on the potential origins and significance of the Indus Valley script. It discusses the two main theories regarding the script's linguistic ties—Indo-European and Dravidian—and includes quotes from experts on both sides. However, the article could have benefited from a broader range of viewpoints, particularly from more experts who might disagree with the predominant theories or have alternative hypotheses. The inclusion of controversial perspectives, such as those suggesting the script may not represent a language at all, adds to the balance, but these are not as thoroughly explored as the main theories.

8
Clarity

The article is well-written and structured, making complex topics accessible to a general audience. It uses clear language and provides sufficient background information on the Indus Valley Civilization and the challenges of deciphering its script. The logical flow of information helps readers understand the significance of the script and the ongoing debates surrounding it. However, some sections could benefit from additional clarification, particularly regarding the technical aspects of the research methodologies mentioned.

6
Source quality

The article cites several credible sources, including experts like Rajesh P.N. Rao and Nisha Yadav, who are directly involved in the research of the Indus Valley script. However, the story does not provide direct links or citations to specific studies or publications, which would enhance the credibility and allow readers to verify the claims independently. The reliance on expert opinion is strong, but the absence of a broader range of sources, such as primary archaeological findings or peer-reviewed papers, slightly weakens the overall source quality.

6
Transparency

The article provides a clear overview of the current state of research on the Indus Valley script and the challenges faced in deciphering it. However, it lacks detailed transparency regarding the methodologies used by researchers like Rao and Yadav in their machine learning approaches. Additionally, while it mentions the political and cultural implications of deciphering the script, it does not fully disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases that might influence the research or the reporting of findings.

Sources

  1. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/ancient-indus-valley-civilization-script-1-million-reward-2602431
  2. https://archaeologymag.com/2025/01/prize-offered-to-decipher-indus-valley-script/
  3. https://www.iflscience.com/1-million-prize-offered-to-whoever-deciphers-this-5000-year-old-script-77790
  4. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/officials-are-offering-1-million-to-anyone-who-can-decode-this-ancient-script-180985922/
  5. https://www.ynetnews.com/environment/article/byqa9j0uyg