A remarkable archaeological discovery in Georgia has unveiled a basalt tablet inscribed with a previously unknown writing system, dating back approximately 14,000 years. This finding, made in December 2021 at Lake Bashplemi, has significant implications for understanding ancient communication methods in the Caucasus region.
The tablet features 60 symbols arranged in seven columns, showcasing a level of craftsmanship suggesting the message it conveys was of considerable importance. However, researchers have yet to confirm the structure of the writing system or its exact meaning.
Experts believe the inscription may relate to cultural exchanges between the Caucasus and neighboring areas, potentially altering existing perceptions of historical narratives in this region, which has long been considered peripheral in the study of ancient texts.
The discovery occurred during a dry season when fishermen noticed the tablet protruding from the lakebed, revealing a series of undeciphered symbols, including three horizontal lines and a spiral. Researchers describe the symbols as 'developed and refined' for their time.
Crafted with precision, the creator employed a conical drill to arrange the symbols and rounded tools to ensure a smooth series of characters, indicating significant effort was invested in the message's presentation.
Scholars speculate that the inscription could pertain to war trophies, construction projects, or offerings to deities. Comparisons with ancient texts reveal similarities between this new inscription and the Proto-Kartvelian script from the 4th millennium BCE, as well as pre-Christian Georgian seals.
Additionally, the tablet exhibits early Caucasian writing traces, particularly from Georgian Mrgvlovani and Albanian scripts, along with Phoenician and Proto-Sinaitic systems from the Near East. This suggests interactions among ancient groups and highlights the significance of the discovery.
Researchers noted that many symbols resemble those found in Near Eastern scripts and those from geographically distant regions, such as India, Egypt, and Western Iberia. Despite these similarities, the Bashplemi inscription represents a completely new form of text, not mirroring any known writing system.
This basalt tablet stands as one of the most intriguing recent discoveries in the study of ancient writing systems, emphasizing the need for further research in this area of Georgia, which may unveil a previously unseen writing system linked to the myth of Jason and the Argonauts.