Archaeologists have discovered a rare Indus Valley civilization-era seal in steatite dating back to 2,500-2,000 BCE from the Cholistan area of Punjab (Pakistan). The seal features the carved figure of an ibex with two pictographs. It was found at Wattoowala, located near Derawar Fort and along the ancient bed of the Hakra river, by a six-member team of archaeologists led by Punjab University archaeology department chairman Farzand Masih.
     The seal has a perforated boss on the back and varies from the style of Harappan seals. This shows a regional influence and perhaps a separate identity in the Harappan domain, Masih said. The seal is almost square in shape and slightly broken on the right side but the figure of the ibex is almost intact. The muscles, genitalia, hooves and tail of the ibex were engraved artistically with a high degree of skill and craftsmanship.
     Under the project, Dr Masih said the PU team had also taken up the gigantic task of exploring some 25 sites along the Hakra River in spite of the inhospitable climatic conditions in Cholistan Desert, which eventually led to the discovery of the rare Indus seal.

Edited from DNA, Dawn.com (7 February 2012), Pakistan Observer (11 February 2012)