Earliest Alphabetic Writing Found in Syria

Archaeologists from Johns Hopkins University have discovered what is believed to be the oldest known alphabetic writing, dating back to around 2400 BCE, in Syria's Tell Umm-el Marra. This finding pushes back the age of alphabetic scripts by approximately 500 years, challenging the previous belief that the first alphabet originated in Egypt around 1900 BCE. The discovery consists of finger-length clay cylinders with alphabetic text, which may have served as labels, possibly detailing the contents or origins of vessels. This revolutionary finding suggests that early urban societies in Syria were experimenting with written communication technologies long before previously thought, altering our understanding of how writing was developed and disseminated across ancient civilizations. The findings were presented at the American Society of Overseas Research’s Annual Meeting, highlighting the significance of the discovery in reshaping the narrative of alphabetic history.