THE INDUS SCRIPT: Recognition as an Alphabet

This paper introduces a groundbreaking approach to deciphering the Indus script, employed by the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) from c. 3300 to 1900 BCE. Moving beyond previous methods, my research delves into the intricate structure of the script's signs, aiming to definitively settle the debate regarding its categorization. Specifically, I investigate whether the Indus script functions as an alphabet, presenting compelling evidence for the number of primary signs it comprises. My methodology meticulously examines over 400 signs, encompassing the entire corpus rather than relying on limited samples. This holistic approach utilizes a novel gridbased decomposition technique to visually dissect compound signs, identify diacritics with consistent usage patterns, and uncover the underlying principles of sign extraction. Through this rigorous analysis, I successfully isolate the essential primary signs and illuminate their potential phonetic representations within an alphabetic system. However, I acknowledge the intricate variations in writing styles present across the Indus corpus. These stylistic subtleties, encompassing formation, composition, and combination strategies, contribute to the apparent plurality of signs. Nonetheless, my findings reveal a core set of only 40 fundamental signs, suggesting a remarkably concise system beneath the surface complexity. By presenting this new paradigm for understanding the Indus script, I pave the way for further advances in its decipherment. Continued exploration of the identified core signs and their phonetic associations holds immense potential for unlocking the linguistic insights encoded within this enigmatic script, shedding light on a crucial chapter in human history.

本文介绍了一种突破性方法，用于破译印度河谷文明（Indus Valley Civilization, IVC）在公元前约3300年至公元前1900年间使用的印度河文字（Indus script）。相较于既往研究范式，本研究深入剖析印度河文字符号的复杂结构，旨在彻底解决其分类归属的学术争议。具体而言，本研究探究印度河文字是否属于字母文字体系，并为其核心符号的数量提供了极具说服力的实证依据。本研究方法严谨审视了逾400个符号，覆盖全部语料库（corpus）而非依赖有限样本。这种整体性研究方法采用一种全新的基于网格的分解技术（grid-based decomposition technique），从视觉层面拆解复合符号、识别使用模式稳定的变音符号（diacritics），并揭示符号提取的底层逻辑。经由此番严谨分析，本研究成功剥离出核心基础符号，并阐明了其在字母文字体系中潜在的语音对应关系。不过，本研究亦注意到印度河语料库中书写风格存在复杂变体：这些涉及符号形成、组配与组合策略的风格细节，造成了符号数量看似繁多的表象。尽管如此，研究结果显示仅存在40个核心基础符号，这表明表层繁复的体系之下实则暗藏极为精简的底层架构。本研究提出的全新印度河文字解读范式，为后续破译工作的推进铺平了道路。对已识别的核心符号及其语音关联展开后续探索，有望解码这一神秘文字所承载的语言学信息，为揭开人类历史上这一关键篇章提供重要契机。