One of the oldest writings discovered in Bulgaria

On August 3 prof. Nikolai Ovcharov showed the world a clay tablet dated back to 5000 BC – the early stone-copper age. The face of the tablet is completely covered with pictograms and the back is left unfinished.

The tablet was unearthed about 20 years ago but the exact spot is unclear. Prof. Ovcharov said that the tablet was turned over to him by a treasure hunter who recognized its importance.

The small clay tablet is 7 by 8 by 1.3 cm. The face side is divided in 5 zones, each containing two graphic elements – triangles, rhombuses, circles. The pictograms are carved and then filled with white paste, probably made by guano.

The most important thing on the tablet according to prof. Ovcharov is the human figure with an outstretched hand depicted on it. It is still unclear whether the figure is standing or lying down. The latter could be a symbol of human sacrifice. The archeologists are however certain that the writing has a meaning to it. It is still argued if this is writing or not. According to many scientists it is an example of proto-writing – symbols with an exact meaning well known to the populace that are the early steps of ideograms.

Prof. Ovcharov concludes that there is really no way of reading the tablet, as this is a find 2000 years younger than any other written language. However we could try to interpret some of the symbols – there are many suggestions on the meaning and probable use of the tablet. The symbols could represent numbers, cult practices, deed, etc. It is guessed that such early writing is probably the work of a closed group of people – probably priests or shamans who could read and write these.

Prof. Ovcharov himself connects the circle with the cult to the sun, the triangle and rhombus with a dot in the middle - as a symbol for the womb and fertility.

It is speculated that the find contains a prototype of the future syllable writing from the Mediterranean known as Linear A and Linear B. They are however dated to several thousand years later than the tablet. Without a doubt however the tablet tells us that people from the late stone age had a well developed cult system and good knowledge of nature.

At present the archeologist prof Ovcharov is carrying out tests that will give more precise information the age and source of the tablet.

Tags: culture, Bulgaria, archeology, history