ALT An enormous goat made of straw blanketed in snow. Text says: This large Yule goat made of straw has become famous for its annual construction and the repeated attempts to burn it down.

ALT A display case showcasing various intricate stone carvings. Text says: Despite numerous attempts, no one has been able to definitively translate the Indus script. The mystery of these symbols continues to captivate linguists and historians, as they may hold key insights into the culture and communication of one of the earliest civilizations.

ALT Two small clay pieces featuring intricately crafted animal figures on their surfaces. Text says: Some researchers hypothesize that these symbols represent a proto-writing system or even an early form of language.

ALT An assortment of ancient tiles with engravings of animals and human figures. Text says: Seals like these were likely used for identification or trade, possibly serving as a form of signature. The recurring motifs of animals alongside symbols suggest that the Indus script may have conveyed names, professions, or social status.

ALT A close-up of an engraved stone featuring inscriptions, showcasing historical significance. Text says: The symbols on this seal, like others from the Indus Valley Script, could represent words, ideas, or even names, but the script’s true meaning remains a mystery to this day.

ALT A collection of symbols printed in black, set on a white background. Text says: Among her many scholarly works, Hildegard also created an alternative alphabet, the “Litterae ignotae,” which she used for her language Lingua Ignota.

ALT A painting depicting a nun holding a staff surrounded by six other nuns. Text says: Hildegard's medicinal and scientific writings spring from her experience helping in and then leading her monastery's herbal garden and infirmary, as well as the theoretical information she likely gained through her wide-ranging reading in the monastery's library.

ALT A painting of a woman in a black robe seated on a chair below an archway. Text says: A 12th-century mystic, composer, and healer known for her contributions to theology, natural sciences, and music, Hildegard of Bingen has been considered the founder of scientific natural history in Germany.