It was claimed that the world’s oldest known alphabetic writing may have been found during excavations in a tomb in Syria. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University announced that this writing, discovered on clay cylinders dating to 2,400 BC, is approximately 500 years older than other known alphabetic systems.
Alphabetic writing engraved on clay cylinders was found during excavations in an ancient tomb in Syria. It is stated that the discovery, which is 500 years older than the oldest known alphabetic writing, could change the history books. The discovery, to be announced at the annual meeting of the American Overseas Studies Association, could shake current knowledge about the origin and development of the alphabet. “Alphabetic writing changed the way people thought and communicated. This discovery shows that this revolution began much earlier and in a different place than we thought,” said Dr. Glenn Schwartz, an archaeologist leading the excavation team. The excavations were carried out in the ancient city of Tell Umm-el Marra in western Syria. Four clay cylinders engraved with alphabetic writings were discovered in a tomb here, along with gold and silver jewelry. Researchers believe that these cylinders may have been used as a type of label. IT WILL REWRITE HISTORY It was previously thought that the alphabet emerged in or around 1900 BC in Egypt. However, new findings indicate that the origin of the alphabet may be 500 years older than that date and that it was born in a different geography. The researchers state that this discovery, confirmed by carbon dating methods, offers important clues about the evolution of written communication in human history.
