Image: Lynn Fawcett
Image: Lynn Fawcett

This is a pictograph of a measuring rod. There are nine spaces which gives us nine units of measurement. However, you should note that the marks between the spaces are diagonal rather than horizontal. This indicates that the measurement is estimated rather than precise. Therefore, the suggested translation for this Indus sign is 'roughly nine units'.


Illustrative Text Reference:

Mohenjo-daro: Seal: The Schoyen Collection: Schoyen Reference: MS 5059 (A note on the Schoyen website says that this seal inscription wil be published in Volume 3 of the Corpus of Indus Seals and Inscriptions.): https://www.schoyencollection.com/palaeography-collection-introduction/early-writing-introduction/4-1-4-indus-valley/indus-valley-seal-ms-5059: Accessed: 25 February 2018.


Image Credit:

Roughly Nine Units: Lynn Fawcett, 2017.