What has been suggested by some scholars regarding the depiction of "proto-Shiva" on Harappan seals?

It is possibly a depiction of a shamanic figure

Seals have been examined to reconstruct religious beliefs and practices, with some depicting scenes of rituals while others bear plant motifs associated with nature worship. Some seals portray mythical and composite creatures, including the one-horned animal often referred to as the "unicorn." Figures shown seated cross-legged in a "yogic" posture, sometimes surrounded by animals, have been interpreted as early depictions of "proto-Shiva," an early form of one of Hinduism's major deities. Additionally, conical stone objects have been classified as lingas.

Reconstructions of Harappan religion often rely on drawing parallels from later traditions to understand earlier ones. Archaeologists typically move from the known (present) to the unknown (past) in their interpretations. While this approach holds merit for objects like stone querns and pots, it becomes more speculative when applied to "religious" symbols.

For instance, let's consider the "proto-Shiva" seals. The earliest religious text, the Rigveda (compiled around 1500-1000 BCE), mentions a deity named Rudra, who later became associated with Shiva in Puranic traditions (from the first millennium CE). However, in the Rigveda, Rudra is not depicted as Pashupati (lord of animals) or as a yogi, contrary to later descriptions of Shiva. Therefore, this depiction does not align with the description of Rudra in the Rigveda. Some scholars have suggested that it might represent a shaman, introducing further speculation into its interpretation.

Shamans are individuals, both men and women, who assert their possession of magical and healing abilities, alongside their capacity to establish communication with the spiritual realm.