The discovery of ancient tablets and inscriptions often provides glimpses into lost civilizations, but some findings defy explanation. In 2017, researchers decoded a piece in Iraq that revealed the oldest known trigonometric system. Years later, another tablet, also from Iraq, showcased applied geometry a millennium before Pythagoras. Now, a basalt stone tablet found in Georgia in 2021 has left scientists puzzled, with its cryptic inscription pointing to an unknown society.
Something unexpected in Georgia. In fall 2021, fishermen on Lake Bashplemi in Georgia’s Dmanisi region uncovered a basalt stone tablet inscribed with symbols in an unknown language.
Dubbed the “Bashplemi inscription,” the artifact has been tentatively dated to the late Bronze Age or early Iron Age. The text remains undeciphered, but experts suggest it could reshape the understanding of ancient written traditions in the Caucasus.
Characteristics of the inscription. The tablet features 39 distinct characters, some repeated, for a total of 60 symbols arranged in seven horizontal lines. While its meaning is unclear, some symbols resemble scripts from the Middle East, India, Egypt, and Greece. The inscription also shows similarities to Caucasian scripts such as Mrgvlovanigeorgian, Caucasian Albanian, and Proto-Georgian.
The direction of the text is uncertain. It may read left to right, right to left, or follow the boustrophedon style (alternating directions between lines), though the latter seems unlikely. Fragmented sections of the tablet suggest the text could be incomplete, and its purpose—a record, offering, or possibly an early alphabet—remains unknown.
Creation and craftsmanship. The tablet, made from local basalt, was analyzed for its mineral composition. Researchers found that the symbols were crafted using a conical drill to outline the characters, followed by a rounded tool to “connect the dots.” This labor-intensive process, combined with the use of durable basalt, indicates the tablet held significant importance.
Theories and hypotheses. Scholars propose several theories about the tablet’s origin and purpose. The rigid material and potential inclusion of numbers suggest it could be a record of spoils of war, a religious offering, or even plans for a major construction project.
Its local basalt composition and resemblance to regional scripts support the idea that both the artifact and its inscription are indigenous to the area. The tablet is believed to be thousands of years old, based on the presence of other Bronze and Iron Age artifacts nearby.
Historical implications. If the tablet dates to the Early Iron Age, around 1000 BC, it predates the earliest known Georgian writing—dating to the 4th century AD—by over a millennium. This could radically alter historical narratives, suggesting the Colchis region (modern western Georgia) had an advanced writing tradition long before Christianity.
What researchers do know is this: The tablet is authentic. Beyond that, the enigmatic artifact continues to pose more questions than answers.
Image | R. Shengelia et al., Journal of Ancient History and Archaeology | Google Maps
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