Unicorns and seals: New multivariate approaches to exploring patterned stylistic variation in the Indus Civilization

Abstract

Inscribed seals are among the most well-known and diagnostic materials of the Indus or Harappan Civilization (c. 2600–1900 BCE), one of the world's earliest urban societies and its first manifestation in the South Asian subcontinent. Since their discovery heralded the announcement of the ancient Indus Civilization over a century ago, inscribed seals have received a considerable amount of scholarly and public attention, and rightly so. In addition to being the primary medium of the undeciphered script, they are some of the finest examples of Indus art and technical virtuosity; and provide important insights into Indus economics, ideology, and administrative behaviors. All of these were important components of Indus organization and integration, which appear to be unique during the third Millennium BCE and are not fully understood. Despite their significance, questions remain concerning how, where, and for whom inscribed seals were produced, and how the organization of this important craft industry changed and varied over time and space. This research investigates these issues using multifaceted methods of formal and statistical analyses on a sample of published inscribed Indus seals engraved with the famous “unicorn” motif. The results demonstrate evidence of variation in unicorn attribute associations that are correlated with diachronic patterns over time and space. Taken together, this research provides new insights into the organizational dynamics of the Indus Civilization. It also highlights the value of investigating craft production to learn more about one of the world's earliest and most unique urban societies.