A mysterious tablet discovered in Georgia might upend our knowledge of ancient writings in the Caucasus region. Carved into local basalt, it bears 60 symbols, 39 of which are previously unknown, and seems to belong to a writing system that has never been documented. This finding raises questions about the culture and exchanges in this part of Asia Minor.
The artifact was discovered near Lake Bashplemi, in the Dmanisi region, an archaeological site already renowned for its paleoanthropological discoveries. The tablet, measuring 9.5 x 7.9 inches (24.1 x 20.1 cm), likely dates to the late Bronze Age or early Iron Age, according to associated objects found nearby. These include ceramic fragments and obsidian tools, which testify to intense human activity in the area.
What particularly intrigues researchers are the 39 unique symbols, which correspond to no known writing system. The signs, meticulously engraved using drills and rounded tools, are arranged in seven horizontal lines. Certain symbols are repeated, suggesting that they might represent numbers or punctuation, a potential indication of their function.
The originality of these inscriptions lies in their complete absence of correspondence with scripts from other regions, although certain similarities have been observed with ancient systems from the Near East, India, Egypt, and Western Iberia. These partial resemblances might suggest cultural influence or exchanges between these civilizations, but the lack of any exact match leaves open the possibility of a unique or local script.
Researchers have speculated that the tablet may have recorded events such as military exploits, construction projects, or religious rituals. However, there is no definitive certainty about its exact purpose. The most plausible hypothesis remains that it represents a writing system used in an administrative or ceremonial context, of which we currently have only a glimpse.
Another hypothesis is emerging: that of a transitional script, perhaps a precursor to later systems like the Georgian or Albanian alphabets. The fact that some symbols resemble those of these ancient writings adds another dimension to the study.
This discovery enriches the complex history of the Caucasus, a strategic region at the crossroads of Asia and Europe. Although many ancient texts mention writings in Colchis (modern western Georgia), few direct pieces of evidence have been found to date.
The geographical context of the discovery, on a volcanic plateau surrounded by hills, seems to have played a key role in the development of this ancient civilization. The site, though little explored, reveals a hidden wealth in our understanding of the history of Caucasian societies.
Analyses of the basalt, which is of local origin, have confirmed the tablet's authenticity. Wear marks suggest that contemporary inhabitants may have attempted to clean it without realizing its historical value.
This deciphering project could have significant implications for the history of Caucasus civilizations and usher in a new era in the study of ancient scripts from this strategic region. The discovery of this tablet raises major challenges for archaeologists and historians and might well redefine our understanding of the evolution of writing.
Author of the article: Cédric DEPOND