An unknown alphabet was discovered in Syria, dating back 500 years earlier than the earliest known alphabet in history.

The origins of alphabetic writing may be much older than previously thought. Artifacts discovered in northeastern Syria suggest that the development of the alphabet began around 2300 B.C., which is 500 years earlier than previously estimated, according to Ancient Origins.

According to the study's author, Glenn Schwartz, an archaeologist from Johns Hopkins University, this discovery could change our understanding of how and when the alphabet was invented.

The prevailing theory states that the first alphabet emerged around 1800 B.C. in Egypt, where people adapted parts of the Egyptian hieroglyphic system. These early forms of writing evolved into systems used in the Middle East and eventually in Western Europe.

At the same time, the small clay "cylinders" discovered by Schwartz and his team challenge the aforementioned theory.

During the excavations, Schwartz and his team found small cylindrical objects in a tomb dating back to the Early Bronze Age.

The ancient finger-sized cylinders contain inscriptions that closely resemble early alphabetic symbols. The team suggests that the inscriptions may have conveyed information about the contents and owner of the tomb, indicating that the alphabet might have been used for administrative purposes.

"Cuneiform or hieroglyphic writing systems were too complex, so only elite scribes had access to them. Meanwhile, the alphabet allowed a broader segment of society to record information and communicate," says Schwartz.

This democratization of writing laid the foundation for the widespread use of written language in trade, governance, and everyday life.

The discovery of these clay cylinders, which predate the Egyptian theory of the alphabet's origin, has sparked debate among scholars. However, Schwartz notes that the inscriptions are significantly different from cuneiform—the dominant writing system of that era—and more closely resemble early Semitic writing.

Radiocarbon dating has confirmed the age of the artifacts, but their decipherment remains elusive. Schwartz speculates that the symbols may refer to names or descriptions of artifacts in the tomb, but the text requires further research.

If it is confirmed that the text on the cylinders represents the oldest alphabetic inscriptions, it could revolutionize our understanding of early communication technologies.

As a reminder, the lost alphabet of the "wicked idolaters" mentioned in the Bible has been found. Tablets with Canaanite writings—an ancient civilization referenced in the Bible—were discovered in the Jordan Valley.