TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Before the current written scripts, texts, and linguistic manuscripts, there were various oldest writing systems emerging over 5,000 years ago. Similar to other ancient artifacts, historians are keeping the records of these frameworks intact for further study.
This article discusses the world's oldest writing system as compiled by oldest.org, showcasing each arrival, development, and other key details.
Contrary to popular belief, Egyptian hieroglyphs aren't the oldest writing system in the world. The following is a list of the oldest writing systems:
1. Cuneiform - 3200 BCE
Widely implemented in the ancient Middle East, cuneiform, which means "wedge-shaped," has been a writing model since the early 18th century onward. This framework was the most widespread and historically significant writing system.
Its first emergence may be traced back to the end of the 4th millennium BCE when the Sumerians occupied southern Mesopotamia and Chaldea. After its development, cuneiform was used for more than 3,000 years, inspiring multiple early writing systems within the Mesopotamian bounds.
2. Egyptian Hieroglyphs - 3200 BCE
One of the most well-known and oldest writing systems, Egyptian hieroglyphs were largely referred to as "holy writing" in the Greek language due to their reverence. The hieroglyphic system consisted of numerous symbols representing the object they depicted and particular groups of sounds.
The Akkadians adopted the cuneiform writing system with their unique interpretations, utilizing around 700 to 800 symbols, with only 200 to 400 being used.
3. Elamite Cuneiform - 2200 BCE
Heavily influenced by Akkadian Cuneiform, Elamite Cuneiform had two variations, one derived from Akkadian and a simplified version used during the 1st millennium BCE. This writing system had Elamite tablets originating from the Achaemenid Persian kings written in three languages: Old Persian, Babylonian, and Elamite, using about 130 to 206 different signs.
4. Cretan Hieroglyphs - 2100 BCE
The Minoans' earliest writing system, Cretan Hieroglyphs, remains undeciphered due to short texts found, including names of people engraved on clay seals.
5. Linear A - 1800 BCE
Another writing system adopted by the Minoans, Linear A also remains undeciphered. It had about 90 unique symbols.
6. Hittite Cuneiform - 1700 BCE
The Hittite Cuneiform adopted Akkadian Cuneiform, borrowing around 375 signs. It was mainly used by the Hittites in ancient Anatolia. The writing system became extinct as the Hittite Empire concluded its reign.
7. Linear B - 1500 BCE
The oldest surviving writing system among Greek civilization, Linear B was used by the Mycenaean Greeks from 1500 to 1200 BCE. It was deciphered in the early 1950s, representing an archaic Greek language.
The world's oldest writing systems reveal the deep history and evolution of human communication, reflecting the cultural and linguistic diversity of their times and setting the foundation for the written languages we use today.