Expert: Tablet may have oldest writings

AP on Yahoo ^ | 8/4/06 | AP

[NormsRevenge]

SOFIA, Bulgaria - An almost 7,000-year old stone tablet found in Bulgaria bears carvings that might turn out to be one of the world's oldest inscriptions, a prominent Bulgarian archaeologist said Thursday.

"These signs are unique and apparently bear a meaning," Nikolai Ovcharov told a press conference. Ovcharov said he had received the tablet from a private collector who had unearthed it 20 years ago.

The collector asked to remain anonymous, because he risked criminal prosecution for looting or criminal possession of antiquities. The tablet, about three inches, carries five distinct signs each made up of two elements, Ovcharov said. "This could be the prototype of a script," he added.

Two similar tablets also dating back to the 5th millenium B.C. have also been found in Bulgaria many years ago. It could be argued that their carvings, although rather schematic, are part of the same proto-script, Ovcharov said.

[goodnesswins]

Maybe an inventory of grain or other agriculture items.....???? Hmmmmm....we're they cultivating grains then?

[G Larry]

RATS!!!

I had just decided to post......

"After studying this a length, I've conclude that it's a phone bill...."

Ah well.....Great minds, parallel paths!

[Fred Nerks]

The first known examples of writing may have been unearthed at an archaeological dig in Pakistan.

So-called 'plant-like' and 'trident-shaped' markings have been found on fragments of pottery dating back 5500 years.

Dr Richard Meadow of Harvard University: "We may be able to follow the history of signs." They were found at a site called Harappa in the region where the great Harappan or Indus civilisation flourished four and a half thousand years ago.

Harappa was originally a small settlement in 3500 BC but by 2600 BC it had developed into a major urban centre.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/334517.stm

For comparison...

[Ciexyz]

Could be a listing of the tax rolls for the area.

[ansel12]

""After studying this a length, I've conclude that it's a phone bill...."

Ah well.....Great minds, parallel paths!"




See what being home at your computer on a Friday night leads to, I just had a thought what if it is a business card, thats pretty close to a phone number.

[NorCalRepub]

.....maybe just last weeks box scores.....

[NewRomeTacitus]

Oldest known "Honey Do" list? Some things transcend time.

[stainlessbanner]

No hanging chads on that ballot.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

More Balkan attempts for fame (such as the Bosnian pyramid) which some people--largely of European descent--will probably gobble up because they still consider all technology ever developed to have come from European/European descended people.

Currently, the oldest writings are from the Sumerians, and their is strong evidence and many examples of Sumerian cuneiform.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

Isn't Indus Valley (see Harappan) writing very intricate? Or is this speculation of a prototype for that writing?

[ApplegateRanch]

World's oldest cribbage board?

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

carries five distinct signs each made up of two elements, Ovcharov said. (AP Photo)

Translation:

"It is as it [is if it is in, or it is as it is if
it is on; be it in or be it on, it is as it] is."

[Route66]

No hanging chads on that ballot.

Notice the small holes which are each within a different geometric shape. Maybe it really IS a ballot. :-)

[NaughtiusMaximus]

Just imagine, we may be looking at the first ZOT!

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

It obviously either an early AOL disk or an offer for free money from Nigeria.

[JRios1968]

I believe it says "all your temple are belong to us."

[Fred Nerks]

"It's a big question as to if we can call what we have found true writing," he told BBC News Online, "but we have found symbols that have similarities to what became Indus script.

"One of our research aims is to find more examples of these ancient symbols and follow them as they changed and became a writing system," he added.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/334517.stm

more at link...

[marsh2]

Both have diamonds with dots.

[gleeaikin]

"Maybe it really is a ballot."

Could it be the forerunner of that voting piece use in ancient Greece called an ostracon (sp?).

[uglybiker]

It appears to mention something called a 'ZIG'
and it was being transferred to a new location for a significant purpose...
a 'MOVE FOR GREAT JUSTICE', if you will...