Produced by: Manoj Kumar
The belief that Ancient Egyptians birthed the first alphabet is now challenged. Researchers reveal clay cylinders from Syria dating to 2400 BC may predate Egyptian hieroglyph-inspired scripts by 500 years.
At Tell Umm-el Marra, finger-length clay cylinders, unearthed by Johns Hopkins University archaeologists, show engraved symbols—possibly the earliest alphabetic writing—found at this ancient trade hub.
Using carbon-14 dating, researchers determined the cylinders date back 4,400 years. This discovery predates all known alphabetic scripts, reshaping our understanding of early human communication.
Professor Glenn Schwartz speculates these perforated cylinders may have served as labels for vessels, detailing contents or ownership. Yet, the exact meaning of the symbols remains elusive.
Among the discoveries were six skeletons, gold jewelry, and intact pottery. Next to these treasures lay the engraved cylinders, hinting at their importance in Early Bronze Age society.
“Scholars long believed the alphabet originated in Egypt around 1900 BC,” says Professor Schwartz. This find suggests an entirely different timeline and geographic origin for alphabetic writing.
Unlike hieroglyphs, which were exclusive to an elite class, the alphabet revolutionized communication. “This democratization of writing changed how people lived and thought,” Schwartz asserts.
Tell Umm-el Marra’s strategic location at the junction of two trade routes may have spurred early experiments with written communication, connecting cultures and ideas across regions.
The findings will be presented by Schwartz at the American Society of Overseas Research’s Annual Meeting, offering concrete evidence that pushes back the history of the written word by centuries.