Chinese lead ingots with barbarous Greek inscriptions, in Coin Hoards, vol.IV (London 1978), pp.76-8 (original) (raw)
Appendix 1: Inscribed Sculptures
Contribution to G.Snagupta and S.Saha, Vibrant Rock: Catalogue of Stone Sculptures in the State Archaeological Museum, West Bengal, 2014
Inscribed tin ingots of Haifa, Hishule Carmel Late Bronze shipwrecks are Mlecchita vikalpa hypertexts of seafaring merchants The hypothesis of this monograph is that Meluhha seafaring merchants reached Canaan region (Haifa, Hishule Carmel) during Late Bronze Age (c. 14th cent. BCE) delivering copper and tin ingots. The evidence for transport of oxhide ingots (tin or copper) is provided on a Mohenjo-daro prism tablet with Mlecchita vikalpa hypertexts. This hypothesis is tested deciphering inscribed tin ingots of Late Bronze shipwrecks at Haifa, Hishule Carmel. The cipher texts are Mlecchita vikalpa hypertexts of Meluhha seafaring merchants who use Indus Script hieroglyphs. I agree with the conclusion of Vasiliki Kassianidou: “The Bronze Age metals’ trade has been a subject of paramount concern to many scholars, even so many questions remain unanswered and there is clearly a lot that remains to be learned. I do believe that what is critically needed is a detailed study of the marks on all metal ingots, not just the ones from Uluburun but also those from Cyprus, Crete, Sardinia, and elsewhere, by an expert in very much the same way as it was done for pottery.” Such a detailed study will resolve the contentions of Iberian or Cypro-Minoan scripts and the validity of the readings suggested in mlecchita vikalpa (Meluhha cipher). Two inscribed tin ingots from Hishule Carmel After Galili et al, pp. 29, 30 (Galili, E., Shmueli, N. and M. Artzy, 1986, Bronze Age ship’s cargo of copper and tin. The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology and Underwater Exploration 15/1, pp. 25-37 Comparable hieroglyphs composed as hypertexts are found in examples of copper tablets with Indus Script inscriptions. Indus Script inscriptions on 14 examples of copper tablets inscribed on two sides (C6 figure) Indus Script inscriptions on 7 examples of copper tablets inscribed on two sides (B19 figure) These two sets of inscriptions include the following hypertext (hieroglyph components) (with variants): The hieroglyph components in these hypertext variants are: 1. dhāḷ, 'slanted stroke' 2. khāṇḍā, 'notch, jag' Both together signify rebus: dhāḷako 'ingot' PLUS khaṇḍa 'implement'. dhāḷ 'slanted stroke' A. ḍhaliba ʻto leanʼ, B. ḍhalā; Or. ḍhaḷibā ʻto inclineʼ(CDIAL 5581) Rebus: dhāḷako 'large ingot'(Gujarati) खांड (p. 116) khāṇḍa f (खंड S) A break or opening in a dam or mound; a crack or fissure in a wall &c. 2 A jag, indentation, denticulation. 3 A gap in the teeth; a notch खांडा (p. 116) khāṇḍā A jag, notch, or indentation (as upon the edge of a tool or weapon). Rebus: khaṇḍa 'metal implements' as in:lokhaṇḍa ^ adaren 'lid' rebus: aduru 'native metal' | koḍa 'one' rebus: koḍ 'workshop' Thus, the two sets of hypertexts on the tin ingots of Hishule Carmel are read rebus in Meluhha: 1. dhāḷako 'ingot' PLUS khaṇḍa 'implement'. 2. aduru 'native metal' PLUS koḍ 'workshop' These two examples of tin ingots are also cited in: Kassianidou, Vasiliki, 2003, The trade of tin and island of copper, in: Alessandra Giumlia-Mair & Fulvia Lo Schiavo, 2003, Le probleme de l’etain a l’origine de la metallurgie, The problem of early tin, Bronze Age in Europe and the Mediterranean, Colloque/Symposium 11.2, 2-8 Sept. 2001, University of Liege, Acts of the XIVth UISPP Congress, Archaeopress, Oxford, England, pp.109-119 https://www.academia.edu/4038201/The\_trade\_of\_tin\_and\_the\_island\_of\_copper Map of Cyprus showing Middle and Late Bronze Age sites and sites where copper oxhide ingots have been found (After Fig. 1 in Kassianidou, Vasiliki, 2003) Map of the Mediterranean showing sites where copper oxide and tin ingots have been found (After Fig. 2 in Kassianidou, Vasiliki, 2003) After the publication in 1977, of the two pure tin ingots found in a shipwreck at Haifa, Artzy published in 1983 (p.52), two more ingots found in a car workshop in Haifa which wasusing the ingots for soldering broken radiators. Artzy's finds were identical in size and shape with the previous two; both were also engraved with two marks. In one of the ingots, at the time of casting, a moulded head was shown in addition to the two marks. Artzy compares this head to Arethusa. (Artzy, M., 1983, Arethusa of the Tin Ingot, Bulletin of the American School of Oriental Research, 250, p. 51-55). Artzy went on to suggest the ingots may have been produced in Iberia and disagreed with the suggestion that the ingot marks were Cypro-Minoan script. I suggest an alternative to with both suggestiosns identifying the script as Iberian or Cypro-Minoan script. I suggest that the script is Sindhu-Sarasvati (Indus) Script. My monograph on this conclusion has been published in Journal of Indo-Judaic Studies, Vol. 1, Number 11 (2010), pp.47-74 — The Bronze Age Writing System of Sarasvati Hieroglyphics as Evidenced by Two “Rosetta Stones” By S. Kalyanaraman (Editor of JIJS: Prof. Nathan Katz)http://www.indojudaic.com/index.php?option=com\_contact&view=contact&id=1&Itemid=8 All these hieroglyphs on the three tin ingots of Haifa are read rebus in Meluhha: Hieroglyph: ranku = liquid measure (Santali) Hieroglyph: raṅku m. ʻa species of deerʼ Vās., rankuka id., Śrīkaṇṭh. (Samskrtam)(CDIAL 10559). Rebus: ranku ‘tin’ (Santali) raṅga3 n. ʻ tin ʼ lex. Pk. raṁga -- n. ʻ tin ʼ; P. rã̄g f., rã̄gā m.ʻpewter, tinʼ (← H.); Ku. rāṅ ʻ tin, solder ʼ, gng. rã̄k; N. rāṅ, rāṅo ʻ tin, solder ʼ, A. B. rāṅ; Or. rāṅga ʻ tin ʼ, rāṅgā ʻ solder, spelter ʼ, Bi. Mth. rã̄gā, OAw. rāṁga; H. rã̄g f., rã̄gā m. ʻ tin, pewter ʼ; Si. ran̆ga ʻ tin ʼ. (CDIAL 10562) Hieroglyph: dāṭu = cross (Telugu) Rebus: dhatu = mineral ore (Santali) Rebus: dhāṭnā ‘to send out, pour out, cast (metal)’ (Hindi)(CDIAL 6771). Hieroglyph: mũh 'a face' Rebus: mũh, 'ingot' or muhã 'quantity of metal produced at one time from the furnace’ (Santali) Thus, two tin ingots reported from Haifa contain the following plain texts: raṅku m. ʻa species of deerʼ PLUS dāṭu = cross rebus: plain text: ranku 'tin' PLUS dhatu 'cast mineral' Thus, together, the plain text reads:tin mineral casting raṅku m. ʻliquid measureʼ PLUS dāṭu = cross rebus: plain text: ranku 'tin' PLUS dhatu 'cast mineral' Thus, together, the plain text reads: tin mineral casting. The ingot reported from a Haifa car repair workshop contains the following plain text: raṅku m. ʻliquid measureʼ PLUS dāṭu = cross PLUS mũh 'a face' rebus: plain text: ranku 'tin' PLUS dhatu 'cast mineral' PLUS mũh, 'ingot'. Thus, together, the plain text reads: tin mineral cast ingot Late Bronze Canaan (regions and sites) - Titus Israel Museum. Metal ingots from coast of Kefar Samir, Neve Yam, Hishule Carmel, 14th-13th c. BCE. TB032014147.jpg One side of Mohenjo-daro tablet with Indus Script hieroglyphs/inscriptions on all three sides This suggestion is reinforced by the fact that a Mohenjo-daro prism tablet shows on one side a boat carrying oxhide ingots, establishing the Meluhha-Cypriot link. The administrative unit in Cyprus transacting seafaring trade in copper and tin ingots may have acted as intermediaries for trade from Meluhha or community of Meluhha traders settled in Cyprus handling imports from Meluhha. Meluhha had received the tin (cassiterite) from the largest tin belt of the globe in Ancient Far East in the basins of Himalayan rivers, Irrawaddy-Salween, Mekong River Basins which had accumulated cassiterite as placer deposits after grinding down granite rocks of the river basins. "Secondly it is probable that, both metals necessary in the making or bronze, were distributied by an administrative complex centred on Cyprus. Although the source of the tin is unknown, it passed through Cyprus where it received the markings, which are also found on copper ingots of LBA date." (p.46) Maddin, R. Wheeler, TS and JD Muhly, 1977, Tin in the ancient Near East, Old questions and new finds. Expedition 19/2, p. 35-47 What was an ox-hide called in the contact area of Ancient Near East of the Bronze Age where such large ingots were found (including the shipwrecks of Uluburn and Cape Gelidonya)? The objective of this addendum is to answer this question based on deciherment of Indus Script Corpora of inscriptions. The ox-hide ingot was called ḍhāla 'large ingot'. Artisans who use this word belong to the Prakrtam Indian sprachbund (linguistic area).Whether these Prakrtam speakers had colonies in Cyprus calls for further researches becauee a large number of ox-hide ingots have been discovered in Cyprus and other parts of Ancient Near East.Mirror: http://tinyurl.com/jnnf8n4
This is an extraordinary inscribed object and credit goes to both Asko Parpola and Iravatham Mahadevan who have diligently captured the full text and hieroglyphs which compose the hypertext of the Indus Script inscription. The field symbol is a cobrahood reclining on a low platform; the hieroglyphs are: cobrahood, low platform. The text of the message is on two lines from two sides of the tablet transcribed in Mahadevan concordance. The second line of Side B (two hieroglyphs/hyprtext) has the field symbol. Side A has 6 signs which constitute hieroglyphs/hypertexts. . Line 1: ḍato 'claws or pincers of crab' (Santali) rebus: dhatu 'ore' (Santali). badhi 'to ligature, to bandage, to splice' Rebus: badhi 'worker in iron and wood' badiga 'artificer' (Kannada) Variants of Sign 123 orthography Sign 387 is a hypertext of two hieroglyphs: lozenge shape; rice plant; the Meluhha rebus readings are: mũh 'lozenge-shape' rebus: mũhã̄ = the quantity of iron produced at one time in a native smelting furnace of the Kolhes; iron produced by the Kolhes and formed like a four-cornered piece a little pointed at each end (Santali) PLUS kolmo 'rice plant' rebus: kolimi 'smithy, forge'. Thus, smithy/forge of ingots. Sign 342 karṇaka कर्णक m. 'rim of jar' Rebus:karaṇa, scribes were recording accounting ledgers of wealth created by artisans; kanahār ʻhelmsman'; कारणीक kāraṇīka 'supercargo' (a representative of the ship's owner on board a merchant ship, responsible for overseeing the cargo and its sale). Sign 9 is hypertext composed of two hieroglyphs: 1. pair; 2. curved lines; 3. standing person with quivers (warrior) dula 'pair' rebus: dul 'metal casting' PLUS kuṭi 'curve' Rebus 1: kuṭila, katthīl = bronze (8 parts copper and 2 parts tin) PLUS bhaṭā 'warrior' Rebus: bhaṭā 'furnace. Thus, bronze furnace'. The standing person with spread legs: कर्णक m. du. the two legs spread out AV. xx , 133 'spread legs'; (semantic determinant) Rebus: kanahār 'helmsman', कारणीक kāraṇīka 'supercargo'; karaṇa 'scribe' Hieroglyph of 'kneeling adorant' or 'worshipper' with pot offering: baṭa 'rimless pot' Rebus bhaṭa 'furnace' PLUS బత్తుడు battuḍu, பத்தர் pattar 'worshipper' Rebus: பத்தர்⁵ pattar , n. perh. vartaka. Merchants; வியாபாரிகள்; பத்தர்² pattar , n. < T. battuḍu. A caste title of goldsmiths; தட்டார் பட்டப்பெயருள் ஒன்று.Thus, goldsmith merchant guild furnace. Thus, Line 1 is a catalogue of maritime merchants' metalwok catalogue or ledger of mineral ores, bronze metal castings wealth resources and maritime cargo of wealth products. Line 2: Hypertext composed of Sign 383 hypertext of 3 hieroglyphs and Sign 341 hieroglyph: hoof Sign 383 is hypertext of three hieroglyphs: 1. lozenge shape, 2. oval sign (seed), 3. currycomb. The rebus readings are: 1. Lozenge shape: mũh 'lozenge-shape' rebus: mũhã̄ = the quantity of iron produced at one time in a native smelting furnace of the Kolhes; iron produced by the Kolhes and formed like a four-cornered piece a little pointed at each end (Santali) 2. Hieroglyph: small ball or seed: *gōṭṭa ʻ something round ʼ. [Cf. guḍá -- 1. -- In sense ʻ fruit, kernel ʼ cert. ← Drav., cf. Tam. koṭṭai ʻ nut, kernel ʼ, Kan. goṟaṭe &c. listed DED 1722]K. goṭh f., dat. °ṭi f. ʻ chequer or chess or dice board ʼ; S. g̠oṭu m. ʻ large ball of tobacco ready for hookah ʼ, °ṭī f. ʻ small do. ʼ; P. goṭ f. ʻ spool on which gold or silver wire is wound, piece on a chequer board ʼ; N. goṭo ʻ piece ʼ, goṭi ʻ chess piece ʼ; A. goṭ ʻ a fruit, whole piece ʼ, °ṭā ʻ globular, solid ʼ, guṭi ʻ small ball, seed, kernel ʼ; B. goṭā ʻ seed, bean, whole ʼ; Or. goṭā ʻ whole, undivided ʼ, goṭi ʻ small ball, cocoon ʼ, goṭāli ʻ small round piece of chalk ʼ; Bi. goṭā ʻ seed ʼ; Mth. goṭa ʻ numerative particle ʼ; H. goṭ f. ʻ piece (at chess &c.) ʼ; G. goṭ m. ʻ cloud of smoke ʼ, °ṭɔm. ʻ kernel of coconut, nosegay ʼ, °ṭī f. ʻ lump of silver, clot of blood ʼ, °ṭilɔ m. ʻ hard ball of cloth ʼ; M. goṭā m. ʻ roundish stone ʼ, °ṭī f. ʻ a marble ʼ, goṭuḷā ʻ spherical ʼ; Si. guṭiya ʻ lump, ball ʼ; -- prob. also P. goṭṭā ʻ gold or silver lace ʼ, H. goṭā m. ʻ edging of such ʼ (→ K. goṭa m. ʻ edging of gold braid ʼ, S. goṭo m. ʻ gold or silver lace ʼ); M. goṭ ʻ hem of a garment, metal wristlet ʼ.*gōḍḍ -- ʻ dig ʼ see *khōdd -- .Addenda: *gōṭṭa -- : also Ko. gōṭu ʻ silver or gold braid ʼ.(CDIAL 4271) Rebus: L. khoṭ f. ʻ alloyʼ,°ṭā ʻ alloyed ʼ, awāṇ. khoṭā ʻ forged ʼ; P. khoṭ m. ʻ base, alloy ʼG. khoṭũ ʻ alloyedʼ; M. khoṭā ʻ alloyed ʼ(CDIAL 3931) 3. Hieroglyph: currycomb: khareḍo 'a currycomb' (Gujarati) Rebus: 1. karaḍā खरडें 'daybook'; 2. karaḍā 'hard alloy of iron, silver etc.)(Marathi) Rebus 1: खरडा kharaḍā m (खरडणें) Scrapings (as from a culinary utensil). 2 Bruised or coarsely broken peppercorns &c.: a mass of bruised मेथ्या &c. 3 also खरडें n A scrawl; a memorandum-scrap; a foul, blotted, interlined piece of writing. 4 also खरडें n A rude sketch; a rough draught; a foul copy; a waste-book; a day-book; a note-book. खरडनिशी kharaḍaniśī f Scrawling, scribbling, bad writing. खरडनीस kharaḍanīsa c खरडनिशा a (खरड & P) A scrawler or bad writer. Rebus 2: करडा karaḍā Hard from alloy--iron, silver &c. (Marathi) Thus, the hypertext Sign 383 with three hieroglyphs, signifies daybook of alloy ingots from furnace. The 'hoof' hieroglyph has 63 orthographic variants in Indus Script Corpora. Sign 341 variants List of 63 inscriptions (ASI 1977 Mahadevan Concordance) which contain Sign 341 variants is provided in Sixty-three Indus Script inscriptions, wealth-account ledgers of ṭãksāḷ, ṭaksāḷī 'mint-master' repertoire of metalwork https://tinyurl.com/ups26mt Sign 341 of the inscription m481 signifies, 'ṭāṅka ‘hoof' read Meluhha rebus as ṭaṁka, 'stamped coin', mint': Kui tāŋgu (pl. tākaka) hoof. tāka (tāki-) id.; n. act of walking; ? (K.) Kuwi (F.) tākali, (S.) tākinai, (Isr.) tāk- (-it-) to walk. ? (DEDR 3151) ṭaṅka3 (a) ʻ *rod, spike ʼ, (b) m. ʻ leg ʼ lex. 2. ṭaṅga -- 3 m. ʻ leg ʼ lex. [Orig. ʻ stick ʼ? Cf. list s.v. *ḍakka -- 2]1. (a) K. ṭang m. ʻ projecting spike which acts as a bolt at one corner of a door ʼ; N. ṭāṅo ʻ rod, fishing rod ʼ, ˚ṅi ʻ measuring rod ʼ; H. ṭã̄k f. ʻ iron pin, rivet ʼ (→ Ku. ṭã̄ki ʻ thin iron bar ʼ).(b) Pk. ṭaṁka -- m., ˚kā -- f. ʻ leg ʼ, S. ṭaṅga f., L. P. ṭaṅg f., Ku. ṭã̄g, N. ṭāṅ; Or. ṭāṅka ʻ leg, thigh ʼ, ˚ku ʻ thigh, buttock ʼ.2. B. ṭāṅ, ṭeṅri ʻ leg, thigh ʼ; Mth. ṭã̄g, ṭãgri ʻ leg, foot ʼ; Bhoj. ṭāṅ, ṭaṅari ʻ leg ʼ, Aw. lakh. H. ṭã̄g f.; G. ṭã̄g f., ˚gɔ m. ʻ leg from hip to foot ʼ; M. ṭã̄g f. ʻ leg ʼ.*uṭṭaṅka -- 2, *uṭṭaṅga -- .ṭaṅka -- 4 ʻ peak, crag ʼ see *ṭakka -- 3.Addenda: ṭaṅka -- 3. 1(b): S.kcch. ṭaṅg(h) f. ʻ leg ʼ, WPah.kṭg. (kc.) ṭāṅg f. (obl. -- a) ʻ leg (from knee to foot) ʼ.(CDIAL 5428) Rebus: ṭaṅkaśālā -- , ṭaṅkakaś˚ f. ʻ mint ʼ lex. [ṭaṅka -- 1, śāˊlā -- ]N. ṭaksāl, ˚ār, B. ṭāksāl, ṭã̄k˚, ṭek˚, Bhoj. ṭaksār, H. ṭaksāl, ˚ār f., G. ṭãksāḷ f., M. ṭã̄ksāl, ṭāk˚, ṭãk˚, ṭak˚. -- Deriv. G. ṭaksāḷī m. ʻ mint -- master ʼ, M. ṭāksāḷyā m. Addenda: ṭaṅkaśālā -- : Brj. ṭaksāḷī, ˚sārī m. ʻ mint -- master ʼ.ṭaṅga -- 3 ʻ leg ʼ(CDIAL 5434) ṭaṅka1 m.n. ʻ weight of 4 māṣas ʼ ŚārṅgS., ʻ a stamped coin ʼ Hit., ˚aka -- m. ʻ a silver coin ʼ lex. 2. ṭaṅga -- 1 m.n. ʻ weight of 4 māṣas ʼ lex. 3. *ṭakka -- 1. [Bloch IA 59 ←Tatar tanka (Khot. tanka= kārṣāpaṇa S. Konow Saka Studies 184)]1. Pk. ṭaṁka -- m. ʻ a stamped coin ʼ; N. ṭã̄k ʻ button ʼ (lw. with k); Or. ṭaṅkā ʻ rupee ʼ; H. ṭã̄k m. ʻ a partic. weight ʼ; G. ṭã̄k f. ʻ a partic. weight equivalent to 1/72 ser ʼ; M. ṭã̄k m. ʻ a partic. weight ʼ.2. H. ṭaṅgā m. ʻ a coin worth 2 paisā ʼ.3. Sh. ṭăk m. ʻ button ʼ; S. ṭako m. ʻ two paisā ʼ, pl. ʻ money in general ʼ, ṭrakaku ʻ worth two paisā ʼ, m. ʻ coin of that value ʼ; P. ṭakā m. ʻ a copper coin ʼ; Ku. ṭākā ʻ two paisā ʼ; N. ṭako ʻ money ʼ; A. ṭakā ʻ rupee ʼ, B. ṭākā; Mth. ṭakā, ṭakkā, ṭakwā ʻ money ʼ, Bhoj. ṭākā; H. ṭakā m. ʻ two paisā coin ʼ, G. ṭakɔ m., M. ṭakā m.*uṭṭaṅka -- , *ṣaṭṭaṅka -- , ṭaṅkaśālā -- .Addenda: ṭaṅka -- 1 [H. W. Bailey in letter of 6.11.66: Khot. tanka is not = kārṣāpaṇa -- but is older Khot. ttandäka ʻ so much ʼ < *tantika -- ](CDIAL 5426) Thus, Line 2 of the inscription reads: metals mint PLUS daybook of alloy ingots from furnace. That the reference is to the metals mint is reinforced by the semantic determinative of the field symbol of cobra hood on a low platform which signifies Meluhha rebus: फड phaḍa 'metals manufactory'. Thus, Line 2 of the inscription together with the field symbol of cobrahood on low platform signifies: metals manufactory of metals mint PLUS daybook of alloy ingots from furnace. I suggest that the partly reclining serpent on a low platform under a tree is vividly portrayed with the cobra-hood.pāṭa 'low seat' PLUS फड phaḍa 'cobrahood' rebus: फड phaḍa 'metals manufactory'.
Vadnagar is a mint city. Vadnagar’s wall of fame, 6th cent. BCE Bauddham as a Hindu dharma continuum from 2nd millennium Sarasvati Civilization (e.g. sites of Lothal, Dholavira which may have been linked through the waterway of Nal Sarovar) is evidenced from the archaeological finds of Vadnagar. Note: the low lying terrain of Nal Sarovar expands with water during monsoons, links up Gulf of Khambat and Gulf of Kutch, transforms Saurashtra and Kutch into two linked islands. Evidences of metalwork in Vadnagar A significant find is a pratimā of Gaṇeśa in schist stone. The remarkable iconogrpahic features are: a belt of round stones and a tablet (with some writing) between the legs. The divinity holds a tusk like a writing stylus on his right hand. I suggest that these are hieroglyphs attesting to the significance of Gaṇeśa as the leader of the फडा phaḍā 'metals manufactory'. गोटी [ gōṭī ] 'round pebbles, stones' rebus: गोटी [ gōṭī ] 'A lump of silver' danta 'tooth' rebus:dhatu 'mineral'.paṭa 'throne, tablet' rebus: फड, phaḍa 'arsenal, metalwork artisan guild in charge of manufactory'. Metals Workshop: Ta. paṭṭaṭai, paṭṭaṟai anvil, smithy, forge. Ka. paṭṭaḍe, paṭṭaḍi anvil, workshop. Te. paṭṭika, paṭṭeḍa anvil; paṭṭaḍa workshop. Cf. 86 Ta. aṭai (DEDR 3865) ib 'stylus, needle' rebus; ib 'iron' karibha, ibha 'elephant' rebus: karba, ib 'iron' ibbo 'merchant' Tablets with Brāhmī syllabic script have been discovered with legends "Rudradevasya", "Iśvarvarmana" and a few others with other inscriptions (possibly names). An artefact depicting the Buddha accepting honey from a monkey, which is a story in the Jataka tales. kuṭhāru = a monkey (Sanskrit) Rebus: kuṭhāru 'armourer or weapons-maker' PLUS Honey hieroglyph: mākṣiká ʻ pertaining to a bee ʼ MārkP., n. ʻ honey ʼ Suśr. 2. *mākṣa -- . [mákṣā -- ] 1. WPah.bhad. māċhī ʻ bee ʼ, khaś. mākhī; -- Pk. makkhia -- , macchia -- n. ʻ honey ʼ; Ash. mači, mačík ʻ sweet, good ʼ, mačianá ʻ honey ʼ; Wg. mác̣i, mäc̣ ʻ honey ʼ, Kt. mac̣ī˜, Pr. maṭék, Shum. mac̣hī, Gaw. māc̣hī, Kal.rumb. Kho. mac̣hí, Bshk. mē̃c̣h, Phal. mn/ac̣hī, mḗc̣hī, Sh. măc̣hīˊ f., S. L. mākhī f., WPah.bhiḍ. māċhī n., H. mākhī f. 2. K. mã̄ch, dat. °chas m. ʻ honey ʼ, WPah.bhal. māch n. -- For form and meaning of Paš. māš, mōṣ ʻ honey ʼ see NTS ii 265, IIFL iii 3, 126.*mākṣakulika -- , *mākṣikakara -- , *mākṣikamadhu -- .(CDIAL 9989) Rebus: माक्षिक n. a kind of honey-like mineral substance or pyrites MBh. I suggest that the hypertext is a signifier of armourers working with pyrite mineral ores. The site evidences a transition from Indus Script Hypertext tradition into syllabic writing system of Brāhmī. Consistent with the metalwork evidence of Indus Script hypertexts, tablets with Brāhmī writing may also relate to mintwork, corroboratedd by the discovery of a hoard of lead coins is momentous. A hoard of lead coins. Two lead tablets have been discovered with Indus Script hypertext. A hoard of lead coins has been discovered. Indus Script writing system evidenced in Vadnagar site are related to metalwork documentation. Indus Script hypertext on lead tablet: three arches, a river, a trident and dots in a line. Indus Script decipherment: kunta ʻ spear ʼ Rebus: kuṇṭha munda (loha) 'hard iron (native metal)' गोटी [ gōṭī ] 'round pebbles, stones' rebus: गोटी [ gōṭī ] 'A lump of silver' kāṇḍa 'water' rebus: kāṇḍā 'implements' dhanga 'mountain range' Rebus: dhangar 'blacksmith' Hieroglyph: kunta1 ʻ spear ʼ. 2. *kōnta -- . [Perh. ← Gk. konto/s ʻ spear ʼ EWA i 229]1. Pk. kuṁta -- m. ʻ spear ʼ; S. kundu m. ʻ spike of a top ʼ, °dī f. ʻ spike at the bottom of a stick ʼ, °diṛī, °dirī f. ʻ spike of a spear or stick ʼ; Si. kutu ʻ lance ʼ. 2. Pa. konta -- m. ʻ standard ʼ; Pk. koṁta -- m. ʻ spear ʼ; H. kõt m. (f.?) ʻ spear, dart ʼ; -- Si. kota ʻ spear, spire, standard ʼ perh. ← Pa.(CDIAL 3289) Rebus: kuṇṭha munda (loha) 'hard iron (native metal)' गोटी [ gōṭī ] f (Dim. of गोटा) A roundish stone or pebble. गोदा [ gōdā ] m A circular brand or mark made by actual cautery (Marathi)गोटा [ gōṭā ] m A roundish stone or pebble. 2 A marble (of stone, lac, wood &c.) 2 A marble. 3 A large lifting stone. Used in trials of strength among the Athletæ. 4 A stone in temples described at length underउचला 5 fig. A term for a round, fleshy, well-filled body. गोटुळा or गोटोळा [ gōṭuḷā or gōṭōḷā ] a (गोटा) Spherical or spheroidal, pebble-form. (Marathi) Rebus: Rebus: krvṛi f. ‘granary (WPah.); kuṛī, kuṛo house, building’(Ku.)(CDIAL 3232) कोठी [ kōṭhī ] f (कोष्ट S) A granary, garner, storehouse, warehouse, treasury, factory, bank. (Marathi) Rebus: गोटी [ gōṭī ] A lump of silver: as obtained by melting down lace or fringe. कोठी The grain and provisions (as of an army); the commissariatsupplies. Ex. लशकराची कोठी चालली-उतरली- आली-लुटली. कोठ्या [ kōṭhyā ] कोठा [ kōṭhā ] m (कोष्ट S) A large granary, store-room, warehouse, water-reservoir &c. 2 The stomach. 3 The chamber of a gun, of water-pipes &c. 4 A bird's nest. 5 A cattle-shed. 6 The chamber or cell of a hunḍí in which is set down in figures the amount. कोठारें [ kōṭhārēṃ ] n A storehouse gen (Marathi) Indus Script hypertext on lead tablet: eagle, wings. pajhar 'eagle' rebus: pasra 'smithy, forge' eruvai 'eagle' rebus: eruvai 'copper' eraka 'moltencast, copper' kambha 'wings' rebus: kammaṭa 'mint, coiner, coinage' (This evidence of mintwork is validated by the Buddha head with triratna hypertext) Triratna hypertext is seen on a terracotta head. ayo 'fish' rebus:" aya 'metal, iron' PLUS khambhaṛā 'fin' rebus: kamma ayo 'fish' rebus:" aya 'metal, iron' PLUS khambhaṛā 'fin' rebus: kammaTa 'mint'; hence, ayo kammaṭa 'iron mint' Ta. kampaṭṭam coinage, coin. Ma. kammaṭṭam, kammiṭṭam coinage, mint. Ka. kammaṭa id.; kammaṭi a coiner. (DEDR 1236). Confirmation for this decipherment is provided by Mahaavams'a, XXV, 28, which uses an expression: ayo-kammata-dvAra, translated as "iron studded gate" (of a city), but more accurately should translate as: iron mint gate. Buddha's head with a circle of hair between the eyebrows has been discovered. ऊर्णा (p. 62) ūrṇā f S Wool; hair of sheep, deer, camels &c. 2 Woollen cloth. 3 A circle of hair between the eyebrows. उष्णीषः uṣṇīṣḥ षम् ṣam उष्णीषः षम् [उष्णमीषते हिनस्ति ईष् क Tv.] 1 Any- thing wound round the head. रक्तोष्णीषधराः स्त्रियः Rām. 6.8.6. उष्णीषबन्धस्थाने ललाटोपरि पट्टबन्धरेखा. -2 Hence, a turban, diadem, crownet; बलाकापाण्डुरोष्णीषम् Mk.5.19. हेमासने कृतोष्णीषमभिषिच्य नृपं व्यधात् Bm.1.678. उष्णीषेणैव शुचिना व्यभादुत्तंसधारिणा Śiva. B.21.29. and 22.8. ˚पट्ट K.16; Ratn.1.4. -3 A distinguishing mark. -4 A characteristic mark (of hair) on the head of a Buddha which indicates his future sanctity उष्णीषः स्फुट एष मूर्धनि विभात्यूर्णेयमन्तर्भुवोः Nāg.1.17. -5 The top of a building.उष्णीषिन् uṣṇīṣin उष्णीषिन् a. [उष्णीष-इनि] Wearing a diadem; नम- उष्णीषिणे गिरिचराय Vāj.16.22. K.229. -m. 1 N. of Śiva. -2 A type of round building. (Apte) mn. (उष्णम् ईषते हिनस्ति,शकन्ध्व्-ादि [Va1rtt. on Pa1n2. 6-1 , 94] पर-रूपम् T. ) anything wound round the head , turban , fillet AV. xv , 2 , ŚBr.. A1s3vS3r. Ka1tyS3r. MBh. &c; a diadem , crown L. (Monier-Williams) Updated: September 28, 2017 12:22 IST The ASI team from Vadodara which was involved in the excavation at Vadnagar. Abhijit Suresh Ambekar, Director of the excavation, is the one with the hat on his knee. At the ASI's excavation site at Vadnagar, said to be the only town in India that has been in existence continuously for 2,500 years, in Gujarat. The picture shows the depth of the fortification wall built by various dynasties in different periods. A view of structures showing the various phases of construction in locality A of the area under excavation. Photo: ASI The fortification wall of kiln-fired bricks first built possibly in the 3rd century BCE. It also shows the structural phases of the wall when it was strengthened by various dynasties. Excavation in progress in locality B. Terracotta head of the Buddha with the 'Ushnisha', or flame of knowledge, and the 'Urna' mark on the forehead, between the eyebrows. Terracotta head of the Buddha with the 'Ushnisha', or flame of knowledge, and the 'Urna' mark on the forehead, between the eyebrows. Terracotta head of the Buddha, as pendant, with the tri-ratna symbol on the top. Terracotta head of the Buddha, as pendant, with the tri-ratna symbol on the top. A classic human face made from grey schist stone. A Buddha head with the 'Ushnisha' but without the smile. Coin of lead. This one shows three arches, a river, a trident and dots in a line. Coin of lead depicting a Garuda with outstretched wings. Terracotta sealing deciphered as Rudradevasya. A sealing. Most had Brahmi inscriptions on them. Terracotta sealing of Ishwarvarmana. erracotta sealing. A terracotta sealing with scripts. A terracotta sealing. A bullae, or round tablet, of the 5th century, engraved with a human head of striking charm. On the reverse of the bullae is an inscription that is faded and not decipherable. A hoard of lead coins found in one of the trenches. Small sculpture hewn out of schist stone, of Ganesha, of the medieval period. Small sculture hewn out of schist stone, of Mahishasuramardini, of the medieval period.
Heavier Metal: Ancient Coins Made of Lead
Soft, dull and toxic, lead was a poor coinage metal, but because of its low cost and availability, it was sometimes used for tokens, trial strikes, emergency coinage and various "coin-like objects" that continue to challenge and baffle classical numismatists. Published on CoinWeek.com, December 2015
The note is presented in the following sections: • · Validation of Indus Script decipherment • I Indus Script: Supercargo of copper smithywork ingots • · Ox-hide ingot on a sculptural frieze of Kushana period (Mathura Museum) • · Ox-hide ingot hieroglyphs on Bharhut sculptural friezes • · Amaravati ox-hide ingot as capital on a pillar • · Ox-hide ingots in Ancient Near East • · Sculptural friezes from Bharhut attesting to mint-work • · Ox-hide ingot as ornament on Gudimallam Sivalinga • · Prakrtam lexis related to metalwork, mintwork Validation of Indus Script decipherment Clinching evidence to validate decipherment of Indus Script Corpora as metalwork catalogues, comes from hieroglyphs of ox-hide ingots carried on an Indus boat, on a unique Indus Script inscription on a prism tablet with inscriptions on 3 sides. It is remarkable that the same hieroglyphs of ox-hide ingots are also signified in the context of mintwork, 1. on 4 sculptural friezes of Bharhut and 2. on a sculptural frieze of Kushana period in the Mathura Museum. A Bharhut sculptural frieze flanks an elephant rider signifying his palm and flanked by two ox-hide ingot hieroglyphs on both sides of the doorway. There are three other friezes which signify ox-hide ingots as hiereoglyphs flanking doorways. karibha 'trunk of elephant' ibha 'elephant' rebus: karba 'iron' ib 'iron' தட்டல் taṭṭal Five, a slang term; ஐந்து என்பதன் குழூஉக்குறி. (J.) taṭṭal 'five' (hand) rebus: *ṭhaṭṭha1 ʻbrassʼ. [Onom. from noise of hammering brass?]N. ṭhaṭṭar ʻ an alloy of copper and bell metal ʼ. *ṭhaṭṭhakāra ʻ brass worker ʼ. 1.Pk. ṭhaṭṭhāra -- m., K. ṭhö̃ṭhur m., S. ṭhã̄ṭhāro m., P. ṭhaṭhiār, °rā m.2. P. ludh. ṭhaṭherā m., Ku. ṭhaṭhero m., N. ṭhaṭero, Bi. ṭhaṭherā, Mth. ṭhaṭheri, H.ṭhaṭherā m.(CDIAL 5491, 5493). taṭṭāṉ gold or silver smith (DEDR 3039) Thus, two types of ingots are signified: brass, iron. Sculpture of Padmanidhi. Amaravati. ca. 150 to 300 CE Scan: 0026928 Sanchi. Three tigers with spoked wheel (lotus?) atop. tAmarasa 'lotus' rebus: tAmra 'copper'; OR, eraka 'nave of wheel' rebus: eraka 'moltencast, copper' arA 'spoke' rebus: Ara 'brass'. kolom 'three' rebus: kolimi 'smithy, forge' kola 'tiger' rebus: kol 'working in iron' kolhe 'smelter' kolle 'blacksmith' kole.l 'smithy, forge' rebus: kole.l 'temple'. This rebus rendering of kole.l explains why many sculptural friezes signify veneration of metawork artifacts on Sanchi and Bharhut hieroglyph signifiers.. Sculpted beam, stupa railing, Kankali, Mathura region, 2nd century B.C. A smith is at work on a brazier with dhAtu 'strand' rebus: dhAtu 'mineral' (Dotted circle hieroglyph) Fish and fin signify: ayo 'fish' rebus: aya 'iron' ayas 'metal' khamhaRA 'fin' rebus: kammaTa 'mint, coiner'.. Indus Script: Supercargo of copper smithywork ingots The pair of ox-hide ingots which flank doorways on Bharhut scultpural friezes also occur on an Indus Script inscription on Mohenjo-daro prism tablet m1429. The two ox-hide ingots are shown as cargo on a boat flanked by two palm trees and twwo auatic birds. Hieroglyph: కారండవము [kāraṇḍavamu] n. A sort of duck. కారండవము [ kāraṇḍavamu ] kāraṇḍavamu. [Skt.] n. A sort of duck. कारंडव [kāraṇḍava ] m S A drake or sort of duck. कारंडवी f S The female. karandava [ kârandava ] m. kind of duck. कारण्ड a sort of duck R. vii , 31 , 21 கரண்டம் karaṇṭam, n. Rebus: Rebus: karaḍā ‘hard alloy’ (Marathi) (tamar) -- palm tree, date palm rebus: tAmra 'copper' Thus, hard alloy ingot (ox-hide shape) are signified as supercargo. The other two sides of the tablet also contain Indus Script inscriptions. ayo 'fish' rebus: aya 'iron' ayas metal' PLUS karA 'crocodile' rebus: khAr 'blacksmith' Together, Side 2: kāru ‘crocodile’ Rebus: kāru ‘artisan’. Thus, together read rebus: ayakara ‘metalsmith’. On side 3 of the tablt, there are 8 hieroglyphic 'signs' signifying the nature of the metalwork involved for the cargo. This is a two part inscription. Part 1 of the inscription from l. कर्णक m. du. the two legs spread out AV. xx , 133 , 3 rebus: karNI 'helmsman, supercargo'. The hieroglyph of a standing person with legs spread out is thus a semantic determinant of the adjoining hieroglyph: rim of jar: karNika 'rim of jar' rebus: karNika 'scribe, account'. The next two hieroglyphs from the left are a pair of ingots: dhALako 'ingots' dula 'pair' rebus: dul 'cast metal'. Thus, cast ingots. Part 2 of the inscription from l. karNika 'rim of jar' rebus: karNika 'scribe, account' ayo 'fish' rebus: aya 'iron' ayas 'metal' kolom 'three' rebus: kolimi 'smithy, forge' kolmo 'rice plant' rebus: kolimi 'smithy, forge' PLUS circumscript of oval: dhALko 'ingot'. Thus ingot for smithy/forge work. m1429 Prism tablet with Indus inscriptions on 3 sides. Slide 24. Moulded tablet, Mohenjo-daro.Three sided molded tablet. One side shows a flat bottomed boat with a central hut that has leafy fronds at the top of two poles. Two birds sit on the deck and a large double rudder extends from the rear of the boat. On the second side is a snout nosed gharial with a fish in its mouth. The third side has eight symbols of the Indus script. Material: terra cotta.Dimensions: 4.6 cm length, 1.2 x 1.5 cm width Mohenjo-daro, MD 602.Islamabad Museum, NMP 1384.Dales 1965a: 147, 1968: 39 The shape of he boat on the moulded tablet is comparable to the Bronze Age Uluburn ship which had a shipwreck.I suggest that this boat carried a supercargo (rebus: karNi Most frequently-occurring hieroglyph on Indus writing corpora: 'rim-of-jar') of copper and tin ingots, based on a rebus reading of the hieroglyphs on three sides of the prism tablet, including a text in Indus writing, apart from the ligatured hieroglyph of a crocodile catching a fish in its jaws [which is read ayakara 'blacksmith'; cf. khar 'blacksmith' (Kashmiri); karavu'crocodile' (Telugu); ayo 'fish' rebus: aya 'metal (tin+ copper alloy)'. bagalo = an Arabian merchant vessel (Gujarati) bagala = an Arab boat of a particular description (Ka.); bagalā (M.); bagarige, bagarage = a kind of vessel (Kannada) Rebus: bangala = kumpaṭi = angāra śakaṭī = a chafing dish a portable stove a goldsmith’s portable furnace (Telugu) cf. bangaru bangaramu = gold (Telugu) Side B: karaṇḍa ‘duck’ (Sanskrit) karaṛa ‘a very large aquatic bird’ (Sindhi) Rebus: करडा [karaḍā] Hard from alloy--iron, silver &c. (Marathi) A pair of birds కారండవము [ kāraṇḍavamu ] n. A sort of duck. కారండవము [ kāraṇḍavamu ] kāraṇḍavamu. [Skt.] n. A sort of duck. कारंडव [kāraṇḍava ] m S A drake or sort of duck. कारंडवी f S The female. karandava [ kârandava ] m. kind of duck. कारण्ड a sort of duck R. vii , 31 , 21 கரண்டம் karaṇṭam, n. Rebus: karaḍa 'hard alloy (metal)'. tamar ‘palm’ (Hebrew) Rebus: tam(b)ra ‘copper’ (Santali) dula ‘pair’ Rebus: dul ‘cast metal’ (Santali) Rebus readings of the other 2 sides of the Mohenjo-daro tablet: Side A: kāru a wild crocodile or alligator (Telugu) ghariyal id. (Hindi) kāru 'crocodile' (Telugu) கராம் karām, n. prob. grāha. 1. A species of alligator; முதலைவகை. முதலையு மிடங்கருங் கராமும் (குறிஞ்சிப். 257). 2. Male alligator; ஆண் முதலை. (திவா.) కారుమొసలి a wild crocodile or alligator. (Telugu) Rebus: kāru ‘artisan’ (Marathi) kāruvu 'artisan' (Telugu) khār 'blacksmith' (Kashmiri) [fish = aya (G.); crocodile = kāru (Telugu)] Rebus: ayakāra ‘ironsmith’ (Pali) khār 1 खार् । लोहकारः m. (sg. abl. khāra 1 खार; the pl. dat. of this word is khāran 1 खारन्, which is to be distinguished from khāran 2, q.v., s.v.), a blacksmith, an iron worker (cf. bandūka-khār, p. 111b, l. 46; K.Pr. 46; H. xi, 17); a farrier (El.) Side C: Text 3246 on the third side of the prism. kāḍ काड् ‘, the stature of a man’ Rebus: खडा [ khaḍā ] m A small stone, a pebble (Marathi) dula ‘pair’ Rebus: dul ‘cast (metal)’shapes objects on a lathe’ (Gujarati) kanka, karṇaka ‘rim of jar’ Rebus: karṇaka ‘account scribe’. kārṇī m. ʻsuper cargo of a ship ʼ(Marathi) Alloy ingots A pair of ingots with notches in-fixed as ligatures. ढाल [ ḍhāla ] f (S through H) The grand flag of an army directing its march and encampments: also the standard or banner of a chieftain: also a flag flying on forts &c. ढालकाठी [ ḍhālakāṭhī ] f ढालखांब m A flagstaff. (Paras'u?) Rebus: ḍhālako = a large metal ingot (G.) ḍhālakī = a metal heated and poured into a mould; a solid piece of metal; an ingot (Gujarati). I suggest that the gloss ḍhālako denotes the oxhide ingot. ḍhālako ‘large ingot’. खोट [khōṭa] ‘ingot, wedge’; A mass of metal (unwrought or of old metal melted down)(Marathi) khoṭ f ʻalloy (Lahnda) Thus the pair of ligatured oval glyphs read: khoṭ ḍhālako ‘alloy ingots’ PLUS dula 'pair' Rebus: dul 'cast metal'. Forge: stone, minerals, gemstones khaḍā ‘circumscribe’ (M.); Rebs: khaḍā ‘nodule (ore), stone’ (M.) kolom ‘cob’; rebus: kolmo ‘seedling, rice (paddy) plant’ (Munda.) kolma hoṛo = a variety of the paddy plant (Desi)(Santali.) kolmo ‘rice plant’ (Mu.) Rebus: kolami ‘furnace,smithy’ (Telugu) Thus, the ligatured glyph reads: khaḍā ‘stone-ore nodule’kolami ‘furnace,smithy’. Alternatives: 1. koṛuŋ young shoot (Pa.) (DEDR 2149) Rebus: kol iron, working in iron, blacksmith (Tamil) kollan blacksmith, artificer (Malayalam) kolhali to forge.(DEDR 2133).2. kaṇḍe A head or ear of millet or maize (Telugu) Rebus: kaṇḍa ‘stone (ore)(Gadba)’ Ga. (Oll.) kanḍ, (S.) kanḍu (pl. kanḍkil) stone (DEDR 1298). kolmo ‘three’ Rebus: kolami ‘furnace,smithy’. Thus, the pair of glyphs may denote lapidary work – working with stone, mineral, gemstones.