Deciphering the Indus Script (Paperback)

Asko Parpola

ISBN 10: 0521795664 / ISBN 13: 9780521795661

Edité par Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2009

A propos de cet article

Paperback. Of the writing systems of the ancient world which still await deciphering, the Indus script is the most important. It developed in the Indus or Harappan Civilization, which flourished c. 2500-1900 BC in and around modern Pakistan, collapsing before the earliest historical records of South Asia were composed. Nearly 4,000 samples of the writing survive, mainly on stamp seals and amulets, but no translations. Professor Parpola is the chief editor of the Corpus of Indus Seals and Inscriptions. His ideas about the script, the linguistic affinity of the Harappan language, and the nature of the Indus religion are informed by a remarkable command of Aryan, Dravidian, and Mesopotamian sources, archaeological materials, and linguistic methodology. He outlines what is known about the Harappan culture and its script, presents a decipherment of a small number of interlocking Indus signs, and proposes a method which will permit further progress in decipherment. His fascinating study confirms that the Indus script was logo-syllabic, and that the Indus language belonged to the Dravidian family.He also argues that Indian astronomy was started by the Harappans, and that the Indus religion was genetically related to those of the ancient Near East and Hindu India. Professor Parpola outlines what is known about the Harappan culture and its script, deciphers a small number of interlocking Indus signs, and proposes a method which will permit further progress in decipherment. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

N° de réf. du vendeur 9780521795661

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: Deciphering the Indus Script (Paperback)
• Éditeur: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
• Date de parution: 2009
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN à 10 chiffres: 0521795664
• ISBN à 13 chiffres: 9780521795661
• Reliure: Paperback
• État de l'article: new

A propos de ce titre

Synopsis

Of the writing systems of the ancient world which still await deciphering, the Indus script is the most important. It developed in the Indus or Harappan Civilization, which flourished c. 2500–1900 BC in and around modern Pakistan, collapsing before the earliest historical records of South Asia were composed. Nearly 4,000 samples of the writing survive, mainly on stamp seals and amulets, but no translations. Professor Parpola is the chief editor of the Corpus of Indus Seals and Inscriptions. His ideas about the script, the linguistic affinity of the Harappan language, and the nature of the Indus religion are informed by a remarkable command of Aryan, Dravidian, and Mesopotamian sources, archaeological materials, and linguistic methodology. His fascinating study confirms that the Indus script was logo-syllabic, and that the Indus language belonged to the Dravidian family.

Revue de presse

'This book is substantial, in every sense of the word ... does make a forceful case for a partial decipherment ... it will become the standard reference work and the basis for any further debate.' Stuart Blackburn, South Asia Research

'... deserves much credit for having pursued this enquiry to the very limits of what is now possible.' John Chadwick, The Times Higher Education Supplement

'... indispensable research tool ... a book of lasting value.' Florian Coulmas, Language

'The best informed, most cogently argued, and important work to date on the Indus script.' Richard Salomon, Journal of the American Oriental Society

'By far the most comprehensive and well researched study of the Indus script ... It will certainly remain a classic source book for many years to come.' Jonathan Mark Kenoyer, American Anthropologist

'... doubtless the most important study of the Indus script ...' Thomas Oberlies, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies

'... most complete and best-informed treatment of the subject.' Michael D. Coe, Antiquity