Oldest known alphabetic writing found on clay cylinders in Syria

An archaeological breakthrough to be presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Overseas Research (ASOR) reveals that the oldest known examples of alphabetic writing have been discovered in Syria. The team from Johns Hopkins University, led by Professor Glenn Schwartz, uncovered finger-length clay cylinders etched with what appears to be alphabetic inscriptions during excavations of a tomb at Tell Umm-el Marra. This site was one of the ancient cities of the Middle East and is considered one of the first medium-sized urban centers that emerged in western Syria.

Schwartz, a professor of archaeology at Johns Hopkins University who studies how early urban areas developed throughout Syria and how smaller cities emerged in the region, co-directed a 16-year-long archaeological dig at Tell Umm-el Marra with colleagues from the University of Amsterdam. Their extensive excavation uncovered tombs dating back to the Early Bronze Age. In addition to the clay cylinders, the researchers found six skeletons, gold and silver jewelry, cookware, a spearhead, and intact pottery vessels.

Phys.org, and Gazeta.ru reported on the findings, among other websites.

Next to the pottery vessels, the researchers found four lightly baked clay cylinders with what seemed to be alphabetic writing on them. "The cylinders were perforated, so I'm imagining a string tethering them to another object to act as a label. Maybe they detail the contents of a vessel, or maybe where the vessel came from, or who it belonged to," Schwartz said about the cylinders. "Without a means to translate the writing, we can only speculate," he remarked.

Using carbon-14 dating techniques, the researchers confirmed the ages of the tombs, the artifacts, and the writing. The writing on the cylinders is dated to around 2400 BCE, which is approximately 500 years older than the oldest known examples of writing. This writing precedes other known alphabetic scripts by roughly 500 years. This discovery upends what archaeologists know about where alphabets came from and changes the understanding of how alphabets are shared across societies.

"Previously, scholars thought the alphabet was invented in or around Egypt sometime after 1900 BCE. But our artifacts are older and from a different area on the map, suggesting the alphabet may have an entirely different origin story than we thought," Schwartz said. The new discovery "shows that people were experimenting with new communication technologies much earlier and in a different location than we had imagined before now," he added.

The significance of this find extends beyond its age and origin. "Alphabets revolutionized writing by making it accessible to people beyond royalty and the socially elite. Alphabetic writing changed the way people lived, how they thought, how they communicated," Schwartz explained. This discovery could change what is understood about early urban civilizations by providing new insights into how writing systems developed and influenced societal structures.

At Tell Umm-el Marra, the archaeological team's findings contribute valuable information about early urban development in the Middle East. The tombs and artifacts uncovered provide a glimpse into the lives and practices of people living during the Early Bronze Age. The presence of valuable items such as gold and silver jewelry, cookware, a spearhead, and intact pottery vessels suggests a complex society with developed trade and cultural practices.

The discovery of the clay cylinders with potential alphabetic writing is particularly noteworthy. Their perforated design indicates they may have been attached to other objects, possibly serving as labels or identifying markers. This implies an early use of writing for practical purposes within the society.

Previously, archaeologists found in Turkey an ancient amulet depicting King Solomon piercing the devil with a spear. While this finding is not directly related to the Syrian discovery, it highlights the rich and interconnected history of the region.

In addition to his work at Tell Umm-el Marra, Glenn Schwartz's studies focus on how early urban areas developed throughout Syria and how smaller cities emerged in the region. His research provides important context for understanding the broader implications of the new findings.

This discovery not only challenges existing theories about the origins of the alphabet but also underscores the complexity and advancement of early civilizations in Syria. The findings suggest that the development of writing was more geographically diverse and occurred earlier than previously believed.

This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq