The roots of alphabetic writing may stretch back much further than previously believed. Evidence unearthed at the ancient site of Umm el-Marra in northwestern Syria suggests that the alphabet's development might have begun around 2300 BC - 500 years earlier than current theories propose. This theory, led by Johns Hopkins archaeologist Glenn Schwartz, and presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Overseas Research this week, has the potential to transform our understanding of how, when, and where the alphabet was invented. Prevailing Alphabet Origins Theory So far, most scholars have believed that the first alphabet originated around 1800 BC in Egypt, where Semitic-speaking populations adapted portions of the Egyptian hieroglyphic system. These early forms of writing would evolve into the systems used across the Middle East and, eventually, Western Europe. However, the small clay ‘cylinders’ discovered by Schwartz and his team challenge this timeline, raising questions about the alphabet's birthplace and initial purpose. The Armenian Alphabet, A Vision From God The A to Z of Alphabet Origins and the Most Ancient Written Languages Read moreSection: ArtifactsAncient WritingsNewsHistory & ArchaeologyAncient PlacesAsiaRead Later