During archaeological excavations at Mohenjo-Daro (one of the major cities of the Indus Valley Civilization, now in Pakistan), a rectangular seal was discovered that features a carving of a vessel with a sharply upturned prow and stem.
Material: Likely made of steatite (soapstone), a common material for Indus seals.
Date: Estimated to be from 3000 BCE.
Depiction: A ship or boat with a sharply upturned prow and stern.
Purpose: Possibly used for trade documentation, official markings, or religious-symbolic purposes.
- Evidence of Maritime Trade:
Suggests that the Indus people engaged in overseas trade with Mesopotamia, the Persian Gulf, and other civilizations.
The upturned design indicates knowledge of seafaring and shipbuilding techniques.
- Advanced Shipbuilding Skills:
The vessel shape suggests stability in turbulent waters, hinting at navigation in rivers and possibly coastal voyages.
Similar boats have been referenced in Mesopotamian records, linking the Indus Valley Civilization to ancient maritime trade networks.
- Harappan Maritime Legacy:
Other artifacts, such as docks at Lothal, reinforce the idea that the Indus people were skilled shipbuilders and traders.
