In a major breakthrough for historical linguistics, French archaeologist François Desset has successfully deciphered Linear Elamite, a writing system used in ancient Iran nearly 4,000 years ago. This discovery, recently highlighted by Le Figaro, is being compared to the work of Jean-François Champollion, the man who cracked the Egyptian hieroglyphs.
Linear Elamite was first discovered in 1903 at the archaeological site of Susa in southwestern Iran. For over a century, it remained one of the world's great "unbreakable" codes—until now.
The Key to the Code: Names of Kings
Just as Champollion used the names of Greek rulers like Ptolemy and Cleopatra to understand hieroglyphs, Desset found his "key" through the names of ancient Iranian kings. By analyzing silver vases from the Mahboubian Collection, he identified specific repeated symbols that corresponded to the name of King Shilhaha (who reigned around 1950 BC).
This breakthrough allowed Desset to begin mapping out the 77 geometric signs that make up the script, which is composed of diamonds, curves, and complex shapes.
A Truly "Local" Script
According to Desset, Linear Elamite is particularly significant because it is the only truly indigenous writing system in Iranian history. While cuneiform, the Greek alphabet, and the Arabic alphabet were all imported from the west, Linear Elamite evolved locally within the civilization of Elam—the ancient rival of Mesopotamia.
Why It Matters
The decipherment of Linear Elamite opens a new window into the Bronze Age. It allows historians to read the records, rituals, and stories of a civilization that helped shape the ancient world but has remained silent for millennia. Desset now hopes to apply these findings to "Proto-Elamite," an even older script that remains undeciphered.
As we unlock these ancient voices, we gain a deeper understanding of the diverse roots of human literacy and culture.
Source: Le Figaro - Un chercheur français déchiffre l'élamite linéaire
#Archaeology #History #AncientIran #Linguistics #LinearElamite #FrançoisDesset #Discovery #ScienceNews
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