The Indus Script A Mēl-Kōṭṭālar Maritime Trade Ledger - Interpretive Readings and Decipherments

For over a century, the Indus Valley script's brief, repetitive inscriptions have resisted decipherment. This study argues that the script serves as an administrative trade ledger rooted in Proto-Dravidian, developed by the Mēl-Kōṭṭālar maritime network. Pattern analysis of seals reveals consistent structure: origin → product/quality → quantity → route → destination, yielding repeatable readings as cargo tallies and consignments. Etymological links tie Mesopotamian 'Meluḫḫa' to Proto-Dravidian 'Mēl-Kōṭṭālar' ('high fort-builders'), supported by trade terms and reputation for massive mounds. The script's dual-layer design encodes practical logistics alongside concise rebus proclamations of authority and identity. These findings position the Indus civilization as a maritime trade powerhouse deeply connected to early Dravidian culture. Core interpretations are robust and repeatable, with provisional elements open to refinement. This framework strengthens the Dravidian hypothesis and redefines the script as a multifaceted tool for commerce and proclamation.