Archaeologists from Johns Hopkins University have unearthed what is believed to be the earliest example of alphabetic writing during an excavation in Syria. The inscriptions were found on small, clay cylinders within a tomb at Tell Umm-el Marra, an ancient urban centre in western Syria. The writing has been dated to approximately 2400 BCE, pushing back the origins of alphabetic systems by 500 years. This discovery raises new questions about the evolution of written communication and its impact on early societies.

Discovery Details and Artefacts

The clay cylinders, found in a tomb alongside pottery, jewellery, and weapons, are thought to have served as labels or identifiers. Dr Glenn Schwartz, a professor of archaeology at Johns Hopkins University, who led the 16-year excavation, noted that the perforated cylinders might have been attached to objects or vessels to convey information. Without the means to decipher the symbols, the exact purpose remains speculative.

The discovery was made in one of the best-preserved tombs at the site, which also contained six skeletons and an array of Early Bronze Age artefacts. Carbon-14 dating techniques confirmed the age of the tomb and its contents.

Impact on Understanding of Alphabet Origins

Previously, it was widely believed that the alphabet was first developed around 1900 BCE in Egypt. However, these new findings suggest that alphabetic systems may have originated earlier and in a different region. According to Dr Schwartz, this evidence challenges long-held assumptions about how and where alphabets emerged, indicating that societies in Syria were experimenting with innovative communication technologies earlier than previously understood.

Details of the findings will be presented by Dr Schwartz at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Overseas Research, offering further insights into the role of alphabetic writing in the development of early urban civilisations.

A breakthrough in solar research has been achieved using NASA’s supercomputing technology, revealing new insights into the intricate inner workings of the Sun. The simulations, developed by NASA’s Ames Research Center, showcase turbulent motions within the Sun’s upper layers, using data collected from various Sun-observing spacecraft. These findings aim to enhance understanding of solar activity and its effects on space weather.

Advanced Techniques Reveal Fine Solar Structures

The animated simulations display the vigorous twisting and churning of solar plasma, resembling chaotic flows akin to boiling water. The model demonstrates how materials move within the Sun’s layers, bringing new clarity to solar dynamics. Dr Irina Kitiashvili, a leading scientist at NASA Ames, explained that these simulations incorporate a “realistic approach,” using advanced knowledge of solar plasma to replicate phenomena observed by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory.

The research focuses on recreating detailed structures of the Sun’s subsurface layers, capturing features such as shock waves and tornado-like phenomena. These elements, spanning only a few miles, represent details previously unattainable through spacecraft observations alone. However, global models of the Sun remain beyond current computational capabilities. Instead, smaller regions are modelled to yield a deeper understanding of specific dynamics.

The Sun’s activity significantly impacts Earth, influencing seasons, weather, and space weather patterns. Accurate space weather forecasts are critical for safeguarding astronauts and spacecraft, especially during missions such as NASA’s Artemis campaign. The NASA Parker Solar Probe, set to make a record-breaking approach to the Sun in December 2024, will further support these efforts.

Exploring New Frontiers in Solar Research

The simulations were run on the Pleaides supercomputer at NASA’s Advanced Supercomputing facility, generating extensive data over several weeks. As the Sun approaches its solar maximum period, researchers anticipate uncovering additional phenomena, enhancing predictions of solar behaviour.