Ancient Syrian cylinders could rewrite the history of writing
The discovery of clay cylinders in Syria could completely reshape the history of alphabetic writing. Researchers suggest that these findings may date back further than previously thought by 500 years.
The latest archaeological discovery in Syria has the potential to transform our understanding of the history of alphabetic writing. A team from Johns Hopkins University uncovered clay cylinders in a Syrian tomb, which may hold some of the world's oldest alphabetical records.
According to the Polish Press Agency, the cylinders, dated to around 2400 BCE, predate other known alphabetic scripts by approximately 500 years. This discovery holds tremendous significance for archaeologists as it challenges the prevailing ideas about the origins and dissemination of alphabets. Prof. Glenn Schwartz highlights that alphabets revolutionized writing, making it accessible to broader segments of society.
Prof. Schwartz, an expert in Near Eastern archaeology, researched Umm-el Marra, one of the first medium-sized urban centres in western Syria. In the tomb, alongside six skeletons and jewellery, four clay cylinders featuring alphabetical writing were discovered. The age of these artifacts was confirmed through radiocarbon dating.
The cylinders' perforated design suggests they might have served as labels, possibly describing the contents of vessels or their owners. Prof. Schwartz speculates that we can only conjecture their purpose without the ability to translate the script.
New theories about the origin of the alphabet
It was previously thought that the alphabet originated in Egypt or its vicinity after 1900 BCE. However, discoveries in Syria indicate that its history may be more intricate than assumed. Not only is it older than originally thought, but it may also have originated from a completely different region. Prof. Schwartz emphasizes that these new findings could alter our understanding of the alphabet's origin and its impact on early urban civilizations.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University, in collaboration with the University of Amsterdam under Prof. Schwartz's leadership, have been conducting their work for 16 years in the ancient city of Umm-el Marra in western Syria. The tomb where the alphabetic cylinders were found likely belonged to a royal family, reflected by the wealth discovered within.
