Evidence of the oldest alphabetic script in human history found in Syria

Archaeologists from Johns Hopkins University have unearthed the earliest example of alphabetic writing during an excavation in Syria. The inscriptions were found on small clay cylinders in a tomb at Tell Umm-el Marra, an ancient urban center in western Syria. The script dates back to about 2400 BCE, putting the origins of alphabetic systems back 500 years. This discovery raises new questions about the evolution of written communication and its impact on early societies.

Discovery details and artifacts

The clay cylinders, found in a tomb alongside pottery, jewelry and weapons, would have served as labels or means of identification. Dr. Glenn Schwartz, a professor of archeology at Johns Hopkins University who led the 16-year dig, noted that the perforated cylinders may have been attached to objects or vessels to convey information. Without the means to decipher the symbols, the exact purpose remains speculative.

The discovery was made in one of the best preserved graves at the site, which also contained six skeletons and a range of Early Bronze Age artefacts. Carbon-14 dating techniques confirmed the age of the tomb and its contents.

Impact on the understanding of the origins of the alphabet

It was previously widely believed that the alphabet was first introduced around 1900 B.C. was developed in Egypt. However, these new findings suggest that alphabetic systems may have emerged earlier and in a different region. According to Dr. Schwartz, this evidence challenges long-held assumptions about how and where alphabets emerged, suggesting that societies in Syria were experimenting with innovative communication technologies earlier than previously thought.

Details of the findings will be presented by Dr. Schwartz at the annual meeting of the American Society of Overseas Research, providing further insights into the role of alphabetic writing in the development of early urban civilizations.