Question

How many seals are impressed on the piece of clay?

Answer 1

There are 3 distinct seal impressions stamped onto the single piece of clay, which are as follows:

• The Left Impression: Features a rectangular or geometric layout containing lines and early Harappan structural markings.
• The Main Right Impression: The most prominent square stamp, clearly showing an animal motif (a bull or unicorn) along with multiple script symbols at the top.
• The Bottom Impression: A partial, smaller script impression stamped near the lower edge of the wet clay piece.

In long-distance trade, multiple impressions on a single clay knotting (sealing) usually indicated that more than one authority or merchant had verified, sealed, and approved the contents of the package before shipment. If the bag arrived at its destination with all three impressions unbroken, it proved that the goods had not been opened or tampered with along the trade route.