Note: Paul D. LeBlanc does refer to the OIT theory and refers to the virulent
critique by Chetan Bhatt dismissing OIT as a modern myth created by
Hindu nationalist chauvinists.
(Bhatt, Chetan. Hindu nationalism: Origins, ideologies and modern myths.
Oxford: Berg, an imprint of Oxford International Publishers Ltd., 2001.
Paul D. LeBlanc suggests one new approach: "A number of future research areas have been revealed in this thesis. Aside from having
explored the strengths and shortcomings of various historical approaches in regards to
understanding of the Indus culture, the exploration of the early history of the Sumerianized
Iranian plateau in the course of the 4th millennium and the various trade links that existed with
neighbouring proto-Indus cultural sites (i.e., Mundigak, Mehrgahr) have argued for cross-cultural
linkages to have been plausible at this early developmental period of the Indus Age. The
connection that existed between the early Indus traders, for the most part running along the lapis
trade routes through the Iranian plateau, interrelates the Indus culture, language and script, at the
very outset of its nascent phase with other contemporary societies with whom they had
commercial ties. Such a view makes valid the comparisons made between the Indus script and
those other writing systems which the early Indus traders would have been exposed to, namely
those to be found in the Mesopotamian and Egyptian commercial spheres.The archaeological discoveries that map out biological translocations across the Indian Ocean, thus connecting North East Africa (pre-dynastic Egypt) with the Indus civilization in a time when proto-hieroglyphs would first appear, further adds to the argument that the Indus scribes were possibly also similarly influenced by these same early Elamite stamp seals that “inspired” the first Egyptian scribes and the whole Near Eastern stamp seal tradition. To pursue such a line of inquiry would entail the study of detailed stylistic affinitites possibly shared between the Indus script’s earliest signs with, i) contemporary Mesopotamian proto-cuneiform signs to which they might have been exposed or may have borrowed and adapted, as well as with, ii) contemporary Egyptian proto-hieroglyphs that the early Indus scribes could have possibly somehow come into contact with through Canaanite (Palestinian) middlemen merchants."
(p.107)
Paul D LeBlanc, 2013, Indus Epigraphic Perspectives: Exploring Past Decipherment Attempts & Possible New Approaches
critique by Chetan Bhatt dismissing OIT as a modern myth created by
Hindu nationalist chauvinists.
(Bhatt, Chetan. Hindu nationalism: Origins, ideologies and modern myths.
Oxford: Berg, an imprint of Oxford International Publishers Ltd., 2001.
Paul D. LeBlanc suggests one new approach: "A number of future research areas have been revealed in this thesis. Aside from having
explored the strengths and shortcomings of various historical approaches in regards to
understanding of the Indus culture, the exploration of the early history of the Sumerianized
Iranian plateau in the course of the 4th millennium and the various trade links that existed with
neighbouring proto-Indus cultural sites (i.e., Mundigak, Mehrgahr) have argued for cross-cultural
linkages to have been plausible at this early developmental period of the Indus Age. The
connection that existed between the early Indus traders, for the most part running along the lapis
trade routes through the Iranian plateau, interrelates the Indus culture, language and script, at the
very outset of its nascent phase with other contemporary societies with whom they had
commercial ties. Such a view makes valid the comparisons made between the Indus script and
those other writing systems which the early Indus traders would have been exposed to, namely
those to be found in the Mesopotamian and Egyptian commercial spheres.The archaeological discoveries that map out biological translocations across the Indian Ocean, thus connecting North East Africa (pre-dynastic Egypt) with the Indus civilization in a time when proto-hieroglyphs would first appear, further adds to the argument that the Indus scribes were possibly also similarly influenced by these same early Elamite stamp seals that “inspired” the first Egyptian scribes and the whole Near Eastern stamp seal tradition. To pursue such a line of inquiry would entail the study of detailed stylistic affinitites possibly shared between the Indus script’s earliest signs with, i) contemporary Mesopotamian proto-cuneiform signs to which they might have been exposed or may have borrowed and adapted, as well as with, ii) contemporary Egyptian proto-hieroglyphs that the early Indus scribes could have possibly somehow come into contact with through Canaanite (Palestinian) middlemen merchants."
(p.107)
Paul D LeBlanc, 2013, Indus Epigraphic Perspectives: Exploring Past Decipherment Attempts & Possible New Approaches
M.A.Thesis, University of Ottawa Electronic Theses (FGPS)
Abstract
First appearing on potsherds around 3300 BC, the Indus script was primarily in use during the Mature Harappan period (ca. 2600-1900 BC) in the Indus Valley region, centred in the north- western region of the Indian Subcontinent. It is one of the last remaining undeciphered scripts of the ancient world. A great number of Indus inscriptions, however, have been uncovered at many archaeological sites in the Persian Gulf, discoveries that corroborate the inclusion of the Indus civilization as an active participant in the Mesopotamian-dominated Gulf trade of the 3rd millennium. In addition to exploring the current state of research surrounding the Indus decipherment attempts, the thesis will examine new perspectives on ancient history, arguing in favour of various possibilities of Mesopotamian, Elamite, and/or pre-dynastic Egyptian (North East African) cultural presences or influences in the ancient Indus River basin.