Deciphering the Indus script. By Asko Parpola. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1994. Pp. 374. £60.00.

Part I. Introduction: 1. The Indus Civilization and its historical context Part II. The Indus Script: 2. Early writing systems 3. Deciphering an unknown script 4. Approaches to the Indus script 5. Internal evidence for the type of script used in the Indus Valley 6. Internal evidence on the structure of the Indus language 7. External clues to the Indus script Part III. The Linguistic Context: 8. In search of the Indus language 9. Dravidian languages and the Harappan culture Part IV. Interpretations of Indus Pictograms: 10. The 'fish' signs of the Indus script 11. The astronomical and astrological background 12. The trefoil motif: further evidence for astral religion 13. Evidence for Harappan worship of the god Muruku 14. Evidence for Harappan worship of the Goddess 15. Epilogue Appendix Bibliographical notes References Index.