A groundbreaking discovery in southern Iraq reveals that cylinder seals, used over 6,000 years ago, may mark the origins of written language. Researchers from the University of Bologna found a direct connection between the seals and proto-cuneiform, the world's first symbol-based script.
The seals, made from stone and engraved with motifs, were rolled across clay tablets to record information. Around 4400 BC, these seals helped track goods like textiles and agricultural products. Over time, the motifs, such as images of jars and cloth, evolved into the early cuneiform symbols.
This discovery shows that these motifs were not just artistic but functional steps towards written communication.
The findings provide new insights into the development of writing systems and their role in ancient trade and record-keeping. This breakthrough suggests that the roots of written language may be found in the markings of these ancient seals.
