Which is the Oldest Inscription in the World?

The question of the oldest inscription in the world has long captivated scholars and historians. According to conventional archaeology, writing was invented around 3000 to 4000 BC in Sumeria. However, a recent archaeological discovery challenges this belief, potentially redefining what we know about the origins of writing.

The Historical Context and Discovery

Conventional Archaeology: Traditional scholars place the birth of writing in Sumeria around 3000 BC. However, a wooden tablet known as the Dispilio Tablet or Dispilio Scripture was discovered in Northern Greece during excavations in 1993. This find, when carbon-14 dated, revealed that the tablet is approximately 7300 BP, dating to around 5260 BC.

The Dispilio Tablet is a significant archaeological find. It bears a set of symbols that appear to be a form of proto-writing, predating the earliest proto-Sumerian pictographic script from Uruk (modern-day Iraq) by about 2000 years and the Cretan-Mycenean linear types by 4000 years. This discovery casts new light on the origins of writing and challenges the conventional narrative of its development.

Proto-Writing and Early Symbolic Systems

Proto-Writing: While the Dispilio Tablet is a groundbreaking find, it is not alone. Other instances of proto-writing have been discovered across various prehistoric cultures. Experts often refer to these early symbolic systems as proto-writing, as they represent a transition between purely symbol-based communication and the full development of true writing systems.

Examples of Proto-Writing:

Vinap symbols: Carved on turtle shells in Jiahu, dating to around 6600 BC. Trtria tablets: Dating to around 5300 BC. Early Indus script: Dating to around 3100 BC. Sumerian archaic pre-cuneiform: Emerging in 3400-3100 BC with the earliest coherent texts from around 2600 BC. Egyptian hieroglyphs: Developing from neolithic writing in the Early Bronze Age (4th millennium BC).

These early forms of symbolic representation predate true writing but represent significant steps in the development of communication systems. Proto-writing is often characterized by simple pictographs and ideograms that convey meaning or ideas through visual symbols.

Interpreting Early Marks

It is important to note that not all marks or symbols from pre-history are interpreted as writing. Archaeologists and historians must carefully analyze the context and purpose of these marks. For example, a cross-hatch mark carved on a cave wall or stone from pre-historic times may not necessarily represent a word. Instead, it could have been a simple symbol or a tool for counting or marking territories.

Accomplishing True Writing Systems

True Writing Systems: True writing systems, with coherent texts and grammatical structures, began to develop during the Neolithic period. These systems emerged during the Early Bronze Age, specifically around the 4th millennium BC. Sumerian archaic pre-cuneiform and Egyptian hieroglyphs are often cited as the earliest true writing systems, emerging from their respective proto-literate symbol systems in 3400-3100 BC.

The transition from proto-writing to true writing was not instantaneous. It involved the development of more complex symbol systems, the establishment of grammatical rules, and the creation of texts that could convey detailed and coherent information. This transition was gradual and required a significant advancement in cognitive and cultural development.

With the discovery of the Dispilio Tablet and other early proto-writing systems, we have a better understanding of the evolution and complexity of early communication systems. These findings challenge our previous notions of the origins of writing and highlight the potential for new discoveries to rewrite our historical narratives.