The earliest evidence for a writing system in South Asia dates to before 3500 BCE and is associated with agro-pastoral communities living in the regions of what is now Pakistan, Afghanistan and western India. This lecture will present a brief overview of the origins and development of writing and seals during the Early Indus period and the important role of women in this development process. The distinctive features and new aspects of writing during the main period of Indus urbanism will also be presented to highlight the role of writing in urban and rural centers as well as in trade and ritual. Finally, the disappearance of the Indus script and seals will be discussed along with the major challenges to decipherment of this important writing system.
Jonathan Mark Kenoyer is the George F. Dales and Barbara A. Dales professor of Anthropology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison (1985-present) and has served as Field Director and Co-Director of the Harappa Archaeological Research Project since 1986 and more recently as the co-director of the Pakistan-American Research Projects at Allahdino and Mohenjodaro, Pakistan. He has worked on excavations and ethnoarchaeological studies in Pakistan, India, and Oman. He is involved with collaborative projects to study crafts and technology in Pakistan and India as well as many other world regions, including China, Thailand, Egypt, Greece and Mexico. He has a special interest in ancient technologies and crafts, including textiles and textile production, socio-economic and political organization as well as religion. His work has been featured in the National Geographic Magazine and Scientific American and on the website www.harappa.com.