What is the significance of the Indus script signboard found at Dholavira?

The Indus script signboard found at Dholavira is significant primarily due to its unique scale and format compared to other known inscriptions from the Indus civilization. While most Indus inscriptions are quite short—averaging about five signs in length and typically appearing on small items like stamp seals, tools, or tablets—the Dholavira find is a roughly 10-foot- (3-meter-) long signboard featuring an inscription of 10 characters.1

This discovery is notable because it represents a rare departure from the standard, compact use of the Indus script. Its size and placement suggest it may have served a public or monumental purpose, though the script itself remains undeciphered, and its exact function or meaning continues to be a subject of scholarly interest.1