Oldest Known Alphabet Discovered in Syria

A team of archaeologists from Johns Hopkins University has unearthed clay cylinders in a Syrian tomb, bearing what is believed to be the world’s oldest known alphabetic writing, dating back to approximately 2400 BCE.

Key Findings:

Ancient Alphabet: The inscriptions on the clay cylinders predate previously known alphabetic scripts by about 500 years, suggesting that the development of alphabetic writing occurred earlier and in a different region than traditionally thought.

Archaeological Context: Discovered in a well-preserved tomb at Tell Umm-el Marra, the site also contained skeletons, jewelry, pottery, and other artifacts from the Early Bronze Age, providing valuable insights into early urban civilizations in western Syria.

Implications:

This discovery challenges existing theories about the origins of alphabetic writing, which were previously believed to have emerged in or around Egypt after 1900 BCE. The findings indicate that early communication technologies were being developed much earlier and in different locations than previously understood, potentially reshaping our understanding of the evolution of written language.

Research Presentation:

Professor Glenn Schwartz, who led the excavation, presented the team’s findings at the American Society of Overseas Research’s Annual Meeting, highlighting the significance of this discovery in the study of ancient writing systems.