Scientists discover oldest form of writing in mysterious Stone Age engravings

The origins of writing aren’t set in stone. The ancient cave peoples weren’t as illiterate as portrayed in popular media.

Writing May Have Begun 40,000 Years Ago

Ancient carvings once thought decorative may actually be early attempts to record information. Their statistical complexity matches that of proto-cuneiform, pushing the origins of writing-like systems ...
WSIL-TV

World’s oldest writing system may have its origins in mysterious, undeciphered symbols

(CNN) — Researchers have uncovered links between the precursor to the world’s oldest writing system and the mysterious, intricate designs left behind by engraved cylindrical seals that were rolled ...
Hyperallergic

A History of Writing, from Hieroglyphs to Squiggles

Schoolchild’s homework in Greek on a wax tablet, Egypt, 2nd century AD (copyright the British Library) LONDON — A 2,000-year-old wax tablet bears inscriptions of the Greek homework of an Egyptian ...
Smithsonian Magazine

The World’s Earliest Writing System May Have Been Influenced by Older Symbols Found on Stone ‘Cylinder Seals’

A cylinder seal (left) engraved with symbols that was used to press markings into wet clay (right) Franck Raux © 2001 GrandPalaisRmn (Musée du Louvre) While ...
The Conversation

Most assume writing systems get simpler. But 3,600 years of Chinese writing show it’s getting increasingly complex

This research was conducted with Simon Jerome Han as lead author. Piers Kelly receives funding from an ARC DECRA Fellowship. Charles Kemp's work on this project was supported by an ARC Future ...