TEDTalks: Ancient Clues Season 1 Episode 3 Rajesh Rao: A Rosetta Stone for the Indus Script

Rajesh Rao is an expert in computational neuroscience and has been fascinated by the ancient Indus script for years. In this episode of TEDTalks: Ancient Clues, he shares his groundbreaking work on deciphering the Indus script using artificial intelligence and machine learning.

As Rao explains, the Indus script is one of the oldest writing systems in the world, with origins dating back more than 4,000 years. But despite extensive research, scholars have been unable to decipher it, leaving much of India's ancient history shrouded in mystery.

Rao's approach is unique in that he is using computational methods, rather than traditional linguistic analysis, to try to decipher the script. He has developed a machine-learning algorithm that can recognize patterns in the script and determine which symbols are likely to represent words or phrases.

To test this approach, Rao and his team have been analyzing a series of inscriptions found on small objects made of baked clay, known as seals. These seals were used to mark goods and help regulate trade in the ancient Indus civilization.

Through his research, Rao has identified a number of symbols that appear to represent common words or phrases, such as "king," "scribe," and "merchant." He has also identified other symbols that may represent specific objects or concepts, such as a bull or a tree.

While there is still much work to do in order to fully decipher the Indus script, Rao's work represents a major breakthrough in our understanding of this ancient writing system. By combining cutting-edge technology with insights from traditional scholarship, he is offering a new perspective on India's rich cultural heritage.

Throughout the episode, Rao is engaging and enthusiastic, walking viewers through the intricacies of his work and highlighting the significance of the Indus script for our understanding of ancient India. With his innovative approach and passionate commitment to his research, he is sure to inspire viewers to think differently about what we can learn from the past.