Excavation at KanMER

CHAPTER 8

SEALS, SEALING AND OTHER SCRIPT MATERIAL

Harappan Script Material from Kanmer
Most of the script material was discovered from KMR Pd IIb. As many as three seal impressions, a sealing and a square shaped button seal were some of the important inds of this phase, besides many inscribed potshards. In KMR Pd III also a faience Though more than four dozen Harappan sites have been excavated horizontally or vertically (Possehl 2002: 421-482), there are several challenging issues yet to be addressed e.g., decline of the mighty Harappans, was it a state society or not, its hinterland trade mechanism and so on. The decipherment of Harappan script has been one of the most challenging issues. Several scholars (Parpola 1994, Mahadevan 1977, Koskenniemi and Parpola 1979, Zide, Arlane R.K. and K.V. Zvelebil 1976, Rao et al., 2009a, b, Yadav et al., 2008a, b, 2010) have made seminal contribution on this aspect, but in the absence of any bilingual text no consensus has been reached. The Indus signs have generally been found on seals, sealings, seal impressions, terracotta objects and pottery and approximately 400 signs have been identiied. For comparison of signs from Kanmer, we have referred to Parpolas and Mahadevans concordances. At Kanmer cultural periods Pd I, II and III belong to the Harappans and most of the script material was discovered from Pd II i.e., belonging to the urban phase. In all, five seals, three seal impressions, a sealing, a potsherd with seal impression, a few pot sherds with Harappan signs engraved and executed with colour and about three dozen potsherds with graffiti marks were discovered. The Indus signs painted on potsherds are identical to the ones found from Surkotada (Joshi 1990: 357-369).
-1-

seal with geometric design or Indus signs and a few pot sherds with graffiti marks were found, including three Indus signs.

KMR I
At Kanmer a circular button seal of shell was discovered from cultural period I besides a few potshards with pre and post ired grafiti marks. It seems that the early settlers of Kanmer had started scratching certain signs on the potsherds, which may have been precursor of the writing system. The round or circular button seal (No. 081805) of shell has squarish design on obverse and smooth surface on the reverse (Tr. Z30, Layer 13). Its diameter is 19.38 mm and thickness 2.24 mm. This button seal appears to be somewhat similar to the ones reported from Mehrgarh (Jarrige et al., 1995: Fig. 3.17C: 204; Shah and Parpola 1991: Fig. no. Mr.-15A: 404), Harappa (Joshi and Parpola 1987: Fig. no. H-127A: 195), Shaher-eSokhta (Durante 1977: Fig. 9-12: 330) and Tarakai Qila (Allchin and Knox 1981: 245-250 Shah and Parpola 1991: Fig. no. Trq-4A: 414). Grafiti marks As many as seven potsherds with graffiti marks were discovered, out of which ive were identiied as pre ired and two as post iring marks. 1. A thick fragment of jar or basin (Tr. AA28, Layer 12), perhaps belonging the lower part

Chapter 8 Seals, Sealing and other Script Material

of the body (No. 09-2060) has a pre fired deep grafiti mark which looks like division sign . It appears to be identical to the findings from Rehman Dheri (Durrani 1988: 1-204 Shah and Parpola 1991:352-378) and a few other sites. 2. Another pre-ired deep incised fragment was a body sherd (No. 06-1253) of a red ware pot (Tr. Y30, Layer 13). It has two marks i.e., a cross which looks like English letter X and two parallel lines. The signs are similar to Parpolas 129b and 245a and Mahadevans 87 and 137.

only four as Indus signs and the remaining ones could not be conirmed because either they were partially survived or broken.

KMR Pd IIA
Kanmer Pd IIA was represented by remains of urban phase of the Harappans. In the ceramic assemblage of this period we found several potsherds with incised or graffiti marks, besides painted Indus signs. Their detail is as follows: 1. Three signs were found painted

in black pigment on a red slipped surface of a stand of a dish on stand (No. 09-2047). All these have survived partially and appeared to have been executed in pre firing stage (Tr. Z28, Layer 9). These signs are identical to Parpolas 118b , 48c and 118h and Mahadevans 326, 182 and 326. 2. A circle with intersecting lines is a popular Indus sign as has been reported from several sites. At Kanmer it was found depicted in black pigment on the inner and outer surface of a pots of Red Ware and Red Ware with buff slipped type or on dishes, mostly in pre iring stage. As many as five examples (No. 08-1948; Tr. Z30, Qua. SW, Layer 10), (No. 09-2048; Tr. Z28, Layer 10), (No. 09-2049; Tr. Z28, Layer 10), (No. 092050; Tr. Z28, Qua. SE, Layer 10), (No. 09-2053; Tr. Z28, Layer 11) of this sign were found in the assemblage. This sign is identical to Parpolas 368b and Mahadevans 391. These signs (executed with paint) are identical to one reported from Surkotda Pd Ia (Joshi 1990: 357-369). A few sites like Harappa (Shah and Parpola 1991: Fig. no. H-1007A: 348), Rehman Dheri (Durrani 1988: 1-204; Shah and Parpola 1991: Fig. no. Rhd226A: 373), Kalibangan (Joshi and Parpola 1987: Fig. no. K-120A: 324) have also yielded Indus signs executed with pigment on pottery. The ind
-2-

3. A pre ired grafiti mark (Tr. AA28, Layer 12), which looked like tapered streak was found in a base fragment (No. 09-2058) of a Red Ware pot. 4. Fragment of a bowl with inverted rim (No. 092059) of Red Slipped ware with pre-ired grafiti on the external part (Tr. AA28, Layer 12). 5. Rim fragment (No. 08-1928) of a basin of a Red slipped ware was found with post firing graffiti marks on inner and outer face of the neck portion (Tr. Z30, Layer 16). Grafiti is similar to Parpolas 200a 137. 6. A body sherd of Red Ware with chocolate slip pot (No. 06-1217) was found with post iring grafiti (Tr. Y30, Layer 20). It is similar to Parpolas 200a 134 or 328. 7. Rim fragment of Red Slipped Ware pot with seven pre ired deep incised marks. Out of these two sets have three streaks each whereas one appears separate. Among these seven marks we could identify or 296e and Mahadevans and 245a and Mahadevans 134 and

Excavation at KanMER

of sign on inner wall of a pot sherd appears to be interesting. 3. A Harappan Red Ware pot fragment was found with a graffiti mark (Tr. AA28, Layer 9), which looked somewhat like upside down English letter Y (No. 09-2055). It was a post iring sign and it is identical to Parpolas 215d 125. 4. A rectangular body sherd (No. 09-2051) of a Harappan pot was found (Tr. Z28, Layer 10) with two deep incised marks i.e., , . Besides these, three horizontal streaks were also noticed. These marks appear identical to the ones reported by Parpolas 219b Mahadevans 225 and 137. , 245a and and Mahadevans

and Mahadevans 134 or 328.

9. A thin rectangular grafiti mark was discovered (Tr. AA28, Layer 12) from a pot sherd of Red Ware (No. 09-2057), belonging to KMR IIA. It was also a post fired mark and appears to be similar to Parpolas 266a 237. 10. A rim sherd of Red Ware has two parallel lines (No. 08-1928), which appeared to be post fired signs (Tr. Z30, Qua. NW, Layer 13). Such parallel streaks were quite common to several areas of the Indus settlements. They are similar to Parpolas 129b and Mahadevans 87. and Mahadevans

11. On the base of Red Ware pot were found two 5. An English letter U like sign (No. 09-2043) was found in a Red Slipped pot sherd (Tr. Z28, Layer 8), which appear to identical to Parpolas 319w reported by streaks (No. 09-2056). The left one is smaller whereas the right one longer and slightly curved towards left at the lower end (Tr. AA28, Qua. SW, Layer 11). This set appears to be similar to Parpolas 126a and Mahadevans 123.

and Mahadevans 347.

6. A base fragment of dish on stand of Red Slipped ware (No. 09-2052) yielded a graffiti mark on the inner surface (Tr. Z28, Layer11). It was a set of two parallel lines, which may be similar to Parpolas 155d .

A sherd of Red ware with buff slip was found (Tr. AA28, Qua. SW, Layer 8) with an squarish impression, which looked like a seal impression (No. 09-2186). The impression indicates that the seal may have been squarish with deep engraved lines. Besides incised or graffiti marks and seal impression, two shell tablets (No. 09-1242; Tr. Z28, Qua. SW, Layer 9), (No. 08-1549; Tr. Z30, Qua. SE, Layer 9) were discovered from this cultural period. One of them was circular whereas another one rectangular. We are not sure if they were used as seals. As button seals have been reported from many site e.g., Mehrgarh, Harappa, Shaher-E-Sokhta and Tarakai Qila and so on, we have included these objects under seals.

7. A rim sherd of Red Ware (No. 08-1283) has an English letter X type mark (Surface finding), identical to Parpolas 245a and Mahadevans 137. It was made after iring the pot. 8. Another post-fired sign was found (Tr. Y30, Layer 16) on a body sherd of a pot of Red ware with chocolate slip (No. 06-905). This sign is similar to English letter V. It is identical to the sign documented by Parpolas 200a or 296e

-3-

Chapter 8 Seals, Sealing and other Script Material

KMR II B
This was the most prosperous phase of the Harappans at Kanmer as most of the writing material, bead blanks, terracotta cakes, variation in pottery types, variety of raw material, furnace and drill bits were discovered from this cultural phase. The discovery of two seals, a sealing, three unique seal impressions together with a large number of residential structural remains, faunal and floral material also indicated about the prosperity of the Harappans at Kanmer. Seal impressions and seals 1. The discovery of three terracotta seal impressions is perhaps the most impressive discovery of Kanmer (Kharakwal et al., 2009, 2011). All of them were discovered from the central part of the settlement from layers 8 and 9. All these objects are circular and flattish on the obverse and bulging with a conical end on the reverse. These are stamped by a squarish seal, which had a unicorn motif, a ritualistic object and two Indus letters on top. All these have same motif and letters whereas on the reverse each one has a different letter or sign (Kharakwal et al. 2009: 147-163). One of the impressions found in a room located in trench Z30 on the top of layer 9 whereas the two others were discovered in open space in Z28, AA28 in layer 8c. All of them have a perforation (diameter 4.15 mm) slightly off the center. These are made of fine clay and baked at high temperature. All these impressions are same except for signature on the reverse. The perforation may have been used for inserting some kind of thread perhaps to hang it on the neck. The perforation slightly off the center also seems to be intentional, which may have allowed the motif visible while hanging on the neck. It is likely that the motif on the obverse was symbol of
-4-

the country or state or domain or certain business community and the signs on top may read name of the place/ material/ community or merchant family. At reverse, it may be name of the person, who was authenticated to carry the material/ parcel with him. Though circular seal impressions have been reported from some Harappan sites like Chanhudaro, Kalibangan, Lothal (Joshi and Parpola 1987), Mohenjo- daro (Shah and Parpola 1991), they are not comparable to the examples of Kanmer. We therefore think that these seal impressions were sort of identity cards or passports of the Harappans or certain business families. So these three sealings are unique inds of Kanmer. On the top of these seal impressions two Indus signs appear to be similar to the ones documented by Parpolas 147a and 6a and Mahadevans 86 and 38. This sign appears to be rare and interesting as it has also been recorded from Mohenjo-daro. Does it indicate a direct connection of Kanmer with Mohenjo-daro? The reverse part of one of the object (No. 08-1286) length 3.41 cm, width 3.45 cm, thickness 1.61 cm, weight 15.0 g. was slightly broken (Tr. Z30, Layer 8) therefore it was difficult to retrieve the exact sign or letter. The three dimensional image prepared by T. Uno and H. Teramura indicated that the engraved signs may be somewhat similar to what Parpolas 31a c and 5 and 41a or b and Mahadevans 18 and 32 or Parpolas 130b or and Mahadevans 102 and 16. The signs another seal impression (No. 09-900), length 3.25 cm, width 3.53 cm, thickness 1.57 cm, weight 15.0 g. are comparable to Parpolas 48f and 108b or g and Mahadevans

182 and 177 (Tr. AA28, Qua. SW, Layer 8). In case of the third seal impression (No. 09-899), length 3.32 cm, width 3.54 cm, thickness 1.66

Excavation at KanMER

Figure 8.1

H-156

Figure 8.2

No. 06-1054 (Kanmer)

cm, weight 15.7 g. the sign is partially broken (Tr. Z28, Qua. SW, Layer 8). Our close observation of 3D image and drawing indicated that it may be similar to Parpolas 341e times or 337b or f twin and

letters with some others. Besides, a pot sherd discovered from Chandigarh has Indus signs prepared by engraving (Joshi and Parpola 1987: Fig. no. Ch-2A: 351). Two of them are identical to the seal impression of Kanmer. Unlike Mahadevans sign 391 with Mahadevans 267 in the text from Kanmer, the text from Mohenjo-daro starts as we go from right

/ c / d and 326

Mahadevans 261 twins or 403 and 317. A broken clay sealing (No. 06-1054, Figure 8.2) Length 2.05 cm, width 2.03 cm, thickness 0.90 cm, weight 2.7 g. or impression was discovered from the south eastern area of the fortified settlement associated with st. 16 (Tr. GG30, Qua. NE, Layer 8). This sealing depicts a unicorn motif and a few Indus signs on top . This sealing is also circular in shape and perhaps there was a perforation in this object too like the earlier ones. The Indus sings are comparable to Parpolas 368b 311j , 127a , 140a and

to left direction. It must be noted that both and are very frequent text beginner signs . Also,

of the Harappan script and both are known to be succeeded by Mahadevans 99 Mahadevans 342

is a very common ender

of the text (Yadav et al., 2008a, 2010). Hence grammatically, the text from Kanmer is consistent with the general pattern of sign sequencing in Harappan texts even though its meaning is not known (Nisha Yadav pers. comm.). A squarish steatite seal (No. 09-1997), length 1.06 cm, width 1.10 cm, thickness 0.48 cm, weight 0.4 g. with a perforated knob on the reverse and depiction of an animal on the
-5-

and Mahadevans 391, 99, 111 and 342. appear to be identical

Two signs

to the ones reported from a seal at Harappa (Joshi and Parpola 1987: Fig. no. H-156: 202). A seal from Mohenjo-daro also has these two

Chapter 8 Seals, Sealing and other Script Material

obverse (Tr. X30, Qua. SE, Layer 9) is one of the most interesting and impressive find of the site (Kharakwal et al., 2009: 147-163). It is a small button seal showing a standing animal facing left. The neck part of the animal has two streaks. The animal looks like an excited goat with its raised short tail. There are two Indus signs at the top of the igure, which are (Parpolas 128b and 189b and Mahadevans 97 and 211). This seal was found in association with structure number 29 on top of layer 9. Parpola (pers. com.) thinks that this animal may be wild ass, a rare animal found in Kachchh. He informed that this animal was earlier identified in a seal from Mohenjo-daro (Parpola pers. com.). It may be a common seal type in Kachchh and eventually an identification of Kachchh Harappans. Its similarity with seals from Mohenjo-daro may also indicate contacts between two sites or areas, if this identiication is correct. A broken steatite seal (No. 09-1996), length 1.03 cm, width 2.85 cm, thickness 0.67 cm, weight 2.6 g. was discovered from st. 29I (Tr. X30, Qua. SE, Layer 9). It is lower half of the seal as legs of an animal besides some motifs are visible. Perhaps it is a unicorn motif as the style of legs and other associated survived motifs match well with the depiction of seal impressions discovered from the site. 2. A squarish object of shell with criss-cross motif (No. 06-1007) Length 2.13 cm, width 2.17 cm, thickness 0.26 cm, weight 2.6 g. was discovered from north western corner of the settlement (Tr. R21, Qua. SE, Layer 7). It is yellowish in appearance and has two small perforations in the central part, perhaps made for inserting thread for hanging in the neck (!). Its reverse part is smooth. It looks like a button seal, though we are not sure as it may also be simply a pendant. As such seals have also been reported as button seals from a few Harappan sites, we therefore described this object
-6-

under this group. A sealing with somewhat similar impression to this object has also been reported from Gilund (Possehl et al., 2004: 18-29). It seems that at Kanmer seal made of shell remained in use throughout the Harappan as they were found from all the cultural phases, though their type, size and design pattern differs. Grafiti Besides seals and seal impressions several pot sherds were discovered with graffiti marks from KMR IIB deposit. Both pre firing and post firing examples were found in the assemblage. Following is the detail of the representative ones: 1. A body sherd of a large Red ware jar (No. 081285) has sign, which appears to have been engraved in pre firing stage (Tr. Z30, Qua. NE, Layer 8). It is identical to Parpolas 41b and Mahadevans 32 (Kenoyer 2009: 13-32). 2. A popular Indus fish sign was found (Tr. or 33 . Similar sign on jar has also been reported from Harappa

Z28, Qua. NW, Layer 8) engraved before firing on the inner face of a dish (No. 09-1203), which matches well with sign of Parpolas 60a and Mahadevans 59. 3. An interesting jig-jag kind of sign was

found (Tr. AA17, Qua. SW, Layer 4) on a basin fragment of buff ware with chocolate slip, which was created after iring. Grafiti: sign - post iring deep incision on top of rim shard (No. 08-1950). It appears to be similar to Parpolas 204a and Mahadevans 130. 4. A star like sign was found (from sondage to g.

W2) on a rim of a pot (No. 08-1947), which is similar to Parpolas 256 and Mahadevans 141.

Excavation at KanMER

Figure 8.3

Perforated script pottery (No. 06-410)

5. Two post fired swastika signs (Nos. 06-168; Tr. Z15, Qua. SW, Layer 2), (1226; Tr. GG29, Qua. SW, Layer 5) were discovered on fragments of jars of Red slipped ware and match well with Mahadevans 148. 6. A plus or cross sign (No. 09-1878) was found on the base of a Red Ware pot (Tr. AA28, Qua. SW, Layer 9), which appears to be identical to Parpolas 245a and Mahadevans 137.

grafiti mark (No. 06-410, Figure 8.3)

, which

was made during pre iring stage by perforations forming a triangular sign (Tr. Y30, Qua. SW, Layer 7). There are five small perforations in each line, which makes the sign enigmatic and interesting. We do know if this kind of sign has something to do with astronomy. 9. A Red Ware rim sherd (No. 08-807) was found with seven streaks. (Tr. Z29, Layer 5).

7. A cross and an English U type pre fired signs were found (Tr. AA28, Qua. NW, Layer 6) close to the base of a jar of Red Ware (No. 09-2061), which appear to be identical to the ones recorded by Parpolas 245a and 296a or b and 11. Three incised marks (small parallel lines) were found (Tr. Z28, Layer 9) on a body sherd of a Red 8. A Red Ware pot sherd yielded interesting Ware pot (No. 09-2046), which were executed before iring.
-7-

10. Two streaks were found (Tr. II30, Layer 1) on the rim of a large black slipped jar (No. 06-1232), which were made after iring.

Mahadevans 137 and 328.

Chapter 8 Seals, Sealing and other Script Material

this be depicting the inner plan of the fortified 12. A star like sign was discovered (Tr. Z16, settlement of Kanmer? The seal has a perforated knob on the reverse. Though this object is dull white in appearance, our close examination revealed that it has light greenish glazed coating all around. This squarish design is somewhat 13. A Red ware pot yielded three streaks near the base (No. 09-2045), made before iring (Tr. Z28, Qua. SW, Layer 8). 14. A large Red Slipped ware jar fragment revealed (Tr. Z17, Qua. NE, Layer 3) an interesting grafiti mark. It has a set of two parallel lines intersected by an oblique line . This Shell object A circular shell object (No. 158) discovered at Kanmer has nine streak on the obverse which look like representation of sun rays. Its reverse is In several triangular and musthika type cakes discovered from the site also have incised marks. These marks may have some relation either with the potter or with the Indus script. Thus, besides several known Indus signs such as fish, star, human type and swastika, we have been able to record various other interesting signs from the urban deposit at Kanmer, which appear to be rare or unknown on pottery. Incised pot sherds 1. A rim sherd of Red slip ware yielded (Tr. Z28, Qua. NE, Layer 8) four streaks (No. 09-2044), which were engraved after iring. 2. Two deep circular marks are found on the base fragment of a Red Slipped ware bowl. 3. A Buff ware basin revealed three streaks (No. 09-2042), which were engraved before iring (Tr. Seal An interesting rectangular seal of faience (No. 091995), length 1.97 cm, width 1.38 cm, thickness 1.15 cm, weight 2.1 g. was discovered from KMR III deposit (Tr. Q27, Layer 4) close to the western arm of the fort. It depicts a geometrical pattern with bold engraving. The design shows comprtmented plans at four corners and a central space separated by a cross like design. Could
-8-

Layer 1) on a large Red Slipped Ware jar (No. 08202), which was made after iring. It matches well with Parpolas 256 and Mahadevans 141.

similar to an Indus sign documented by Parpolas 270a or d and Mahadevans 242. Somewhat similar seal has also been reported from Pirak but the design or sign are different (Jarrige and Santoni 1979; Shah and Parpola 1991: Fig. no. Pk-18A: 381).

type of grafiti has also been reported from Kotdiji (Shah and Parpola 1991: Fig. no. Kd-13A: 399).

slightly bulging. We are not sure if it was used as seal. It may also be a pendant. Somewhat similar object was also reported from Sutka-gen-dor (Stein 1931).

KMR III
A faience seal, a shell object and some graffiti marks were discovered from cultural deposit identiied as KMR III.

X31, Qua. SW, Layer 6). 4. A Red ware pot (No. 09-2054) yielded two circular marks (Tr. AA15, Qua. SW, Layer 2). 5. Fragment of a Red slipped ware bowl (No. 081951) yielded two streaks (Tr. MM28, Qua. SE, Layer 6), which were made before iring.

Excavation at KanMER

6. Fragment of a Red Ware pot (No. 06-519) yielded a rectangular sign. This pre ired sign was further divided into four equal parts (Tr. HH30, Layer 2). This kind of sign reminds the geometric design of faience seal described above. 7. A Red ware pot has a post iring sign perhaps prepared by a sharp object. It looked like a diamond shape. 8. A Red slipped ware pot (No. 808) yielded a cross sign (Tr. Y12, Layer 4), which was prepared after iring the pot. Thus, signs recovered from KMR III were mostly geometric, non-iconic or pictographic. The urban phase tradition of sign making appears to

continue in KMR III. The discovery of faience seal with plus or cross sign appears to be quite interesting.

An overview of grafiti marks

As the lower levels could be exposed in a very small area at Kanmer, we have only about half a dozen examples of graffiti, apart from a button seal of shell. All the identified signs are as follows: Among these, nos. 3, 4 and 5 match with the Indus signs whereas nos. 2, 3 and a broken button seal with central perforation have parallels in the Ravi phase at Harappa (Kenoyer 2009: 13-32). The deep graffiti mark no.1 is quite similar to the findings from Rehman Dheri (Durrani 1988: 1-204 Shah and Parpola 1991: 352-378). We do

1.

2.

Figure 8.4

3.

Grafiti marks

4.

5.

6.

1.

2.

3.

Figure 8.5

4.

5.

Grafiti marks

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

Figure 8.6

Grafiti marks

13.

14.

15.

1.

2.

Figure 8.7

3.

Grafiti marks

4.

5.

6.

7.

-9-

Chapter 8 Seals, Sealing and other Script Material

not know how far these early signs of Kanmer are global in Harappan context. The number of signs and symbols increased in subsequent cultural deposit i.e., Kanmer IIA, in which as many as 10 following signs were identiied: Most of these are well known Indus signs. Sign no. 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8 have parallels in Kotdiji phase remains at Harappa (Kenoyer 2009: 13-32). KMR IIB: The quantity as well variety of signs increased in the later half of the urban deposit at Kanmer (KMR IIB). Apart from pot and pot sherds the Indus signs were also found from several seals, seal impressions and shell objects. Following are the Indus signs obtained from this cultural phase: Among these sign no 1, 6, 7 were found from urban phase at Harappa (Kenoyer 2009: 13-32). The Swastika sign and vertical streaks appear to be quite common through the cultural deposit at several Indus sites. In KMR III most of the Indus sign disappear from the pottery. Besides, seals, terracotta cakes, weights also disappear from the deposit. About half a dozen following marks were identiied: These marks appear to be continuation of earlier phase. Among these only three marks no. 5, 6 and 7 were identiied as urban phase signs and remaining appeared to be simple marks, though sign no 1 or 2 are also known from Kotdiji and Harappa phase (Kenoyer 2009: 13-32). In brief the graffiti at Kanmer was largely dominated from beginning to end by geometrical signs, though iconic figures appear only during the later half of the urban phase and disappear towards its end.

These communities get tattoos executed on their hands, legs and other parts of the body in order to beautify or ornate. An intensive documentation of tattoos was carried out at Kanmer during the excavation by Shahida Ansari (Ansari 2011) and the authors to understand their meaning. Many of these tattoos betray the Indus signs. Some of the following signs documented by Ansari appear to be exactly identical to the Harappan signs. It is dificult to ascertain if the Harappans also had the same meaning for these symbols. On the left hand are modern tattoos whereas on the right side matching Indus sign (s). These marks include Swastika, animals, birds, miscellaneous objects, male and female figure, lower and so on.

Conclusion
Thus, grafiti and Indus signs were found from all the cultural phases at Kanmer. Their quantity and variety increased during the later half of the urban phase when iconic igures also become part of the grafiti. These inds appear to be similar in nature to Dholavira and other Indus sites. The discovery of certain seals indicate direct contacts of Kanmer with main centres of the Harappa civilization. Further study is required on this line if the seals or script material has some direct relationship with the local craft, resource management, production and trade. The find of over half a dozen seal and seal impression indicate that the Harappan settlement of Kanmer may have been quite important for trade or certain craft. The discovery of three identical seal impressions with different symbols on the reverse suggests that they may be names of different business families and look like passports or identity cards (Kharakwal et al. 2009). This kind of discovery seems to be important, when the script is challenged by some experts. Besides, careful study of development
- 10 -

Indus script and modern tattoos of Kanmer

Rebari and Bharwad communities of Kanmer form a major component of modern Kanmer village.

Excavation at KanMER

Sl. No.

Modern Tattoos at Kanmer

Indus Signs
(Sign No. from Parpola s sign list)

1 46a

2 47a

3 81a

4 88a

5 5

6 88a

7 260c

8 91k
Figure 8.8a Indus script and modern tattoos of Kanmer

- 11 -

Chapter 8 Seals, Sealing and other Script Material

Sl. No.

Modern Tattoos at Kanmer

Indus Signs
(Sign No. from Parpola s sign list)

9 91b

10

11 246

12 246

13

120c

14

341h

15 91g

16 245a
Figure 8.8b Indus script and modern tattoos of Kanmer

- 12 -

Excavation at KanMER

Sl. No.

Modern Tattoos at Kanmer

Indus Signs
(Sign No. from Parpola s sign list)

Sl. No.

Modern Tattoos at Kanmer

Indus Signs
(Sign No. from Parpola s sign list)

17 7c

22 91m

18 105i

23 33a

19 7c

24 190b

20 97a

25 256

21 380a
Figure 8.8c

26 150b

Indus script and modern tattoos of Kanmer

of strokes of Indus signs from early to late phase and understanding the relationship of seals with local craft production and trade may enhance our understanding for decipherment of script. The reference to ethnographic parallel also appears quite interesting, which also needs to be understood properly. (Hansmukh Seth and J.S. Kharakwal, R. Menaria and H. Bunker)

- 13 -