Final answer:
The primary function of seals in the Harappan civilization was related to trade and commerce, being used to seal goods, authenticate merchandise, and facilitate cross-cultural trade connections, especially with Mesopotamia.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary function of seals in the Harappan civilization appears to have been related to trade and commerce. These seals, often inscribed with animal motifs and Indus script, were used for sealing goods and marking ownership. Their presence in Mesopotamia suggests the seals were used for cross-cultural trade and to secure trading goods such as pottery and grains that were sent to distant lands.
The seals facilitated the authentication of merchandise and functioned as part of a complex trade system that connected the Harappan civilization with other contemporary cultures. Such commercial activities necessitated record keeping and likely played a role in the development of the Indus script, a language that remains largely undeciphered. Furthermore, the intricate craftsmanship of the seals highlights the technical and artistic abilities of the Harappan people.