Can AI Decipher the Indus Valley Script?

The Indus Valley Civilization, one of the world's oldest urban civilizations, left behind a tantalizing mystery in the form of an undeciphered script. Despite numerous attempts by linguists, archaeologists, and historians over the years, the script's meaning continues to elude scholars. However, the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) offers new hope in cracking this ancient code.

The Role of Conventional AI

As someone who has been researching the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) for 15 years, I don't think conventional AI can crack this puzzle. I have also recently delved into Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) and haven't found a viable way to apply it to this specific problem. My gut instinct is that Gen AI might be of assistance due to its ability to make creative leaps beyond what humans can typically do.

Why AI Might Not Be Able to Decipher the IVC Script

AI can generate a plausible answer but it is unlikely to be correct. Large Language Models (LLMs) are not designed to provide the 'right answer' but rather to generate what sounds like an answer. There is no need for AI because there is a proven mathematical way to decipher syllabic, alphabetic, or abugida scripts by treating them as cryptograms, as explained in my paper:

Mathematical Methods for Decipherment of Scriptual Languages (PDF)

You can also view the Indus decipherment video here:

Indus Valley Script Decipherment Video

AI in Deciphering Ancient Scripts

AI technologies, particularly machine learning algorithms, have shown promise in deciphering ancient scripts by analyzing patterns, similarities, and statistical data. Researchers have utilized AI to identify recurring symbols, linguistic structures, and potential correlations with known languages, providing valuable insights into the Indus script's possible meanings.

Challenges and Future Prospects

While challenges remain such as the lack of bilingual inscriptions or Rosetta Stone equivalents, AI-driven approaches offer a promising avenue for unraveling the enigma of the Indus Valley script. As researchers continue to refine and expand these methodologies, we inch closer to unlocking the secrets of one of humanity's earliest writing systems, shedding light on the ancient civilization that gave birth to it.

Conclusion

The Indus Valley script remains a captivating and challenging puzzle. While AI can provide valuable insights and support in the decipherment process, it is not a guaranteed solution. However, the ongoing advancements in AI and machine learning offer a potential pathway to uncovering the secrets of this ancient script. As we move forward, the fusion of traditional research methods with cutting-edge AI technologies may bring us one step closer to understanding the civilization that created it.