What sort of language did the Harappan speak, and what kind of writing system did they have?
We don’t know for sure what language the Harappan spoke, and we can’t read their script-yet. Still, we do know a few things about their system of writing. The Harappan script seems to have had about 400 basic signs, with many variations. The sign probably stood for wards and for syllables. The direction of the writing was generally for right to left. Most of the inscriptions are found on seals (mostly made out of stone) and sealings (pieces of clay on which the seal was pressed down to leave its impression). Some inscriptions are also found on copper tablets, bronze implements, and small objects made of terracotta, stone and faience. The seals were probably used in trade and also for official, administrative work. So the Harappans seem to have used writing mainly for these sorts of things. A lot of the inscribed material was found at Mahenjo daro.
