Driving the News
Renowned archaeologist Glenn Schwartz from Johns Hopkins University revealed a groundbreaking finding at a Boston academic conference. Schwartz claimed that four small clay cylinder seals, unearthed from a Bronze Age tomb in Syria two decades ago, bear engravings of the oldest known alphabetic writing, potentially reshaping historical narratives about writing systems.
Why it Matters
If Schwartz’s assertions hold true, the findings could push the invention of alphabetic writing back by around 500 years, to approximately 2300 BCE. This could challenge the long-held belief that alphabetic writing originated in Egypt and the Sinai around 1800-1900 BCE, suggesting instead that its roots might lie in the Levant region.
What They’re Saying
Several experts expressed cautious optimism about Schwartz’s claim, with noteworthy support from Professor Christopher Rollston at George Washington University, who called the engravings “stunning written artifacts.” He suggested that these could be the earliest known examples of alphabetic inscriptions if dated accurately.
The Find: Unexpected Yet Revolutionary
The cylinders contain etchings that form part of a phenomenon-like exploration into early communication technologies. Discovered in a stratigraphic setting at Umm el-Marra, a revered archaeological site east of Aleppo, they were dated to around 4400 years old, discovered alongside elite burials and other artifacts.
Israeli Interests and Historical Context
The implications of this discovery hold particular interest for Israel and the regions of the ancient Near East, as it suggests potential early interactions and cultural exchange networks extending from the Levant to Egypt. It can offer new perspectives into the cultural and technological exchanges thousands of years ago that might have laid the groundwork for future alphabetic systems that influenced the Hebrew language and Canaanite civilizations.
Getting Attention
The story grabbed notable media attention recently after being further amplified in the literature by scholars and rechallenged by Dr. Madadh Richey from Brandeis University. Scholars from leading institutions now consider this a topic of significant interest sparking efforts for more academic exploration in the area.
What We Can Learn
Though there remains debate on what the symbols truly mean, experts anticipate that they correspond to certain letters found in ancient Semitic languages. As a result, understanding these artifacts better could redefine scholarly conversation around the abecedarian origins.
The Bigger Picture
Political dynamics and unrest have previously hindered further explorations at Umm al-Marra. Still, amidst global scholarly intrigue and in a potentially more stable and collaborative post-conflict Syrian landscape, there might emerge opportunities to enhance research collaborations raising further insights into this ancient civilization’s technological prowess.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.