Enigmatic writing from the Republic of Georgia
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"Mysterious tablet with unknown language unearthed in Georgia", by Dario Radley, Archeology News (12/4/24)
Tablet with inscription in an unknown language, discovered in Georgia.
Credit: R. Shengelia et al., Journal of Ancient History and Archaeology
Graphic representation of Bashplemi inscription characters and their numbering.
Credit: R. Shengelia et al., Journal of Ancient History and Archaeology (2024)
A basalt tablet inscribed with an enigmatic language has been unearthed near Lake Bashplemi in Georgia’s Dmanisi region. Measuring 24.1 x 20.1 cm and made from local vesicular basalt, the artifact features 60 characters, 39 of which are unique. These symbols, arranged in seven registers, have left researchers debating their meaning and purpose.
The symbols, created using a conical drill and smoothed with rounded tools, reflect a high degree of craftsmanship. Archaeologists have speculated that the writing may have recorded military spoils, construction projects, or offerings to deities, though definitive interpretations remain elusive. “Generally, the Bashplemi inscription does not repeat any script known to us; however, most of the symbols used therein resemble ones found in the scripts of the Middle East, as well as those of geographically remote countries such as India, Egypt, and West Iberia,” noted researchers in the Journal of Ancient History and Archaeology.
Partial resemblances have been observed with the Proto-Kartvelian script from the 4th millennium BCE and seals from pre-Christian Georgia. Additionally, some symbols echo elements of early Caucasian scripts, such as Georgian Mrgvlovani and Albanian alphabets, as well as systems from the Near East, including Phoenician and Proto-Sinaitic. However, the Bashplemi inscription is not a direct replica of any known writing system, suggesting it may represent a unique or locally developed script.
The Dmanisi region, renowned for its wealth of archaeological finds, including some of the earliest Eurasian hominin remains, now adds this extraordinary artifact to its legacy. Though the exact age of the tablet is uncertain, researchers suggest it dates to the Late Bronze or Early Iron Ages, based on associated finds like pottery fragments and stone mortar.
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Ancient texts from authors such as Apollonius of Rhodes reference writing in Colchis, a part of modern-day western Georgia, but direct archaeological evidence for such systems has been scarce. The Bashplemi tablet raises the possibility of ceremonial or administrative writing traditions that might have been recorded on perishable materials, such as wood or leather, which failed to survive the humid climate.
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This discovery may indicate cultural exchange or influence between the Caucasus and neighboring regions in the ancient world. The partial similarities with scripts from diverse areas, including India and the Middle East, hint at a complex interplay of ideas and technologies.
Even though we cannot read it off, somehow the writing seems vaguely familiar. According to Brian Pellar,
They say it’s late Bronze Age/early Iron Age. I can see that many of those symbols are the same as the ones found in Old Europe. The spiral, the chevrons, the “Y”. the triangles, and the circles (w/dots) are quite reminiscent of the much older symbols used in association with the Neolithic goddess. But they seem to have no understanding of it or who made it. The fact that it’s relatively recent also adds much intrigue as to how it came to be.
Mysterious, indeed! As the article says, "…wear marks suggest attempts by modern locals to clean it, likely without understanding its importance. The precision of the carvings, achieved with advanced tools and techniques, underscores the technical skills of its ancient creators."
Selected readings
- "Mesopotamian seals and the birth of writing" (11/17/24) — especially this comment
- "The origins of graphic communication" (11/21/15) — with useful with helpful bibliography
- "The Origin(s) of Writing" (3/19/22) — with useful bibliography
- "The invention, development, and decipherment of writing" (12/30/22) — also with helpful bibliography
[h.t. rit malors]
Martin Schwartz said,
December 12, 2024 @ 2:30 am
For those who may be mystified by "Albanian" in the 3rd paragraph,
the reference is to the so-called Caucasian Albanian language/script,
the language being someimes called Old Udi; this Caucasic language has nothing to do with the Ind-European Albanian of the Balkans
and Italy, whose similar name is coincidental.
Martin Schwartz