oldest alphabet syria discovery

Archaeologists Discover Oldest Alphabet in Ancient Syrian City

Discovery of Ancient City Cylinders with Alphabetic Inscriptions

Clay cylinders, approximately finger-length and discovered in a Syrian tomb, bear what may be the earliest alphabetic inscriptions in human history, as uncovered by Johns Hopkins University researchers.

Dated to 2400 BCE: A Challenge to Established Theories

Dated to approximately 2400 BCE, this writing predates other known alphabetic scripts by about 500 years, challenging established theories on the origins, dissemination, and societal impact of early alphabets.

The Significance of Alphabet Invention

"The invention of alphabets democratized writing, extending it beyond the elite classes and profoundly shaping human thought, communication, and society," said Glenn Schwartz, a Johns Hopkins University archaeologist who uncovered the clay cylinders.

A Timeline Shift for Alphabet Origins

"This discovery challenges existing timelines, suggesting earlier and geographically distinct experimentation with communication methods."

Annual Meeting Presentation by Glenn Schwartz

On Thursday, Nov. 21, Schwartz will discuss the details of his discovery at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Overseas Research.

Exploring the Excavation Site of Tell Umm-el Marra

Glenn Schwartz's Research on Early Urban Centers

Schwartz, a Near Eastern archaeologist, examines the development of early urban centers in Syria and the rise of smaller cities in the region.

The 16-Year Excavation at Tell Umm-el Marra

Alongside colleagues from the University of Amsterdam, he co-directed a 16-year excavation at Tell Umm-el Marra, one of the earliest medium-sized urban centers in western Syria.

Significant Findings at the Tomb Site

Preservation of Tombs and Artifacts

At the Early Bronze Age site of Umm-el Marra, archaeologists discovered tombs, one of which was exceptionally preserved, containing six skeletons, precious metal jewelry, a spearhead, cookware, and pottery.

The Mysterious  Clay Cylinders

Close to the pottery were four clay cylinders with suspected alphabetic writing.

"The perforations suggest that the cylinders could have been strung to another object, perhaps as a label," Schwartz remarked. "They might describe the contents, origin, or ownership of the vessel, but without a way to decipher the writing, this is mere conjecture."

Carbon-14 Dating and the Timeline of Discovery

Researchers utilized carbon-14 dating methods to determine the ages of the tombs, associated artifacts, and the inscriptions.

Reevaluating the History of Alphabet Origns

According to Schwartz:

"It was previously assumed that the alphabet arose in or around Egypt after 1900 BCE. These artifacts, however, are not only older but also come from a different region, challenging conventional beliefs about the alphabet's origin."

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