Intaglio Unicorn Seal: The Mystical Creature of Harappa

What is the Intaglio Unicorn Seal?
The Intaglio Unicorn Seal is a small, square steatite seal from the Indus Valley Civilization, found at Harappa and made around 2200 BCE. It shows a unicorn with a long body, a slender neck, a spiralling horn, a bushy tail, and cow-like hooves. In front of it stands a ritual offering bowl with water droplets at the bottom and a grid on top. Five strange symbols run across the top, and no one can read them yet.

The Story Behind It
Imagine a busy Harappa market, where a trader carves a tiny seal with a steady hand. Out comes a unicorn, its horn twisting up like a magic wand, standing proud before a special bowl. Drops of water—or maybe something holy—trickle from it, while a grid on top catches the light. Above, five symbols glow, a secret code from long ago. Was this unicorn a protector, watching over trades, or a star in a sacred ritual? It’s like a little story carved in stone, waiting to be told.

A Long History
This seal was dug up at Harappa in 1997, from a time when the Indus Valley was full of big cities, around 2500 BCE to 1700 BCE. Unicorns were the favourite design back then, popping up on tons of seals. This one, found in a spot called Trench 41NE, comes from about 2200 BCE, when Harappa was changing. It’s a snapshot of their world, now kept safe for us to see.

Why It Matters
The unicorn on this seal might be a mythical creature, one that Greek and Roman writers heard about from India long ago. The ritual stand hints at ceremonies—maybe they poured water or blessings through it. The five symbols are a mystery, making us wonder what they meant. This seal connects us to the Indus Valley’s ideas, showing their love for magic and trade, still echoing today.

Where to See It
The exact seal is from Harappa, likely in Pakistan, but you can see similar unicorn seals at the National Museum on Janpath Road in New Delhi. It’s open from 10 AM to 6 PM, closed Mondays—check their website for entry fees. Look for other Indus Valley goodies like pots and seals while you’re there.

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