The Script of Harappa and Mohenjodaro and its Connection with Other Scripts c10.s42: Analysis of Table LVIII
The Script of Harappa and Mohenjodaro and its Connection with Other Scripts c10.s42
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Analysis of Table LVIII
c10.s42.1
All the signs in Col. IV, except the last two are clearly variants. The last two are probably variants of each other. That they are variants of the remainder is most improbable in view of both varieties occurring on the same text (No. 95). They are therefore probably quite independent of and ideographically different from the rest of the signs in Col. IV.
c10.s42.2
Regarding ⊑ and its graphic variants we note (a) it is normally final, (b) it is found on some seals, including one (text 74) with the common dedicatory formula 'To God', (c) it is found abundantly, almost invariably, with the documents containing on one side V accompanied by a numeral. These documents contain on the other side a name or title followed by ⊑ . They are not seals, nor impressions, but are lightly incised for direct reading, as is clear from the direction of the writing which is from right to left.¹ These documents are peculiar in shape: they are as a rule either rectangular or lozenge shape, differing alike from the seals and the votive tablets in their dimensions. Several however are written on three-faced prisms, and one or two on two-faced slabs of a peculiar shape, see Plate XXXI, No. 100, Plate XXXIV, Nos. 160, 161. The fact that this class of document is almost invariably accompanied by a numeral, followed by the object enumerated; that it is written, not stamped, on a material of special format evidently prepared for the purpose, seems to suggest that here we have a class of business document. The fact that one side contains a man's name, and the other the object enumerated suggests that this document is in the nature of a receipt or promissory note. The fact that the man's name is almost invariably followed by the suffix 𓃀 suggests that that suffix means 'from'. That this sign should also be found on certain seals in the same final position is confirmatory evidence; since we know from the dedicatory formula, and from the impressions made from these seals on thin rectangular slabs printed on both faces, that these seals were primarily fashioned for the purpose of manufacturing votive tablets. It is natural then that some of them should begin with the dedicatory formula and end with 'from'. Of course in many cases either the dedicatory formula or the suffix 'from' or both were omitted. This probably increased with the passage of time and the tendency to use and manufacture the seals more for the purpose of indicating ownership than offering prayers.
c10.s42.3
¹ With a few exceptions.
c10.s42.4
It will be observed that when the sign is reversed the writing also is reversed: Nos. 86-88, 91-93. Yet not always, see text 90.