kathimerini.gr
Ancient Egyptian Tiles Suggest Much Earlier Origin of Greek Alphabet
The discovery of symbols resembling Greek alphabet letters on 12th-century BC Egyptian tiles at Tell el Yahudiya challenges the accepted timeline of the Greek alphabet's origin, suggesting a much earlier development.
- How do the findings from Tell el Yahudiya challenge the established timeline of the Greek alphabet's development?
- Over one-third of the Greek alphabet's letters were identified on these tiles by T.H. Lewis, raising questions about the accepted 8th-century BC origin of the Greek alphabet. The similarity of the symbols to those of the classical Greek era further complicates the established timeline.
- What is the significance of the discovery of symbols resembling Greek alphabet letters on ancient Egyptian tiles dating back to the 12th century BC?
- In 1885, Swiss Egyptologist Ed. Naville discovered decorative tiles at Tell el Yahudiya, Egypt, bearing symbols resembling Greek alphabet letters. These symbols, found on the reverse of tiles, date back to the reign of Ramesses III (1196-1166 BC).
- What are the broader implications of this discovery for our understanding of the transmission of writing systems and the historical development of the Greek alphabet?
- Recent reevaluation of work by Baron Hiller von Gaertringen, combined with Herodotus's accounts, suggests the complete Greek alphabet existed in Greece around the 15th century BC—three centuries before its appearance in the Egyptian palace. This challenges the conventional understanding of the alphabet's origins.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing strongly suggests a confirmation bias. The headline (if there was one, which is not included in the provided text) would likely emphasize the mystery and the 'solution' to the problem, reinforcing the narrative of a significant discovery that challenges established knowledge. The author's tone throughout, especially the concluding sentence, strongly supports the early origin theory.
Language Bias
The language used is somewhat loaded. Words like "άτοπο" (absurd), "μυστήριο" (mystery), and phrases such as "επιμελώς αγνοείται" (is deliberately ignored), convey a sense of intrigue and conspiracy, potentially influencing the reader to accept the author's conclusion without fully considering other perspectives. More neutral phrasing could include 'unexpected' instead of 'absurd', 'enigma' instead of 'mystery', and 'has not yet received widespread acceptance' instead of 'is deliberately ignored'.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the discovery of alphabet-like symbols in Egypt and the ensuing debate within the scientific community, but it omits discussion of alternative theories or interpretations of the findings. It also doesn't mention any potential counterarguments or criticisms of the theory that the Greek alphabet existed as early as the 15th century BC. The absence of these perspectives limits the reader's ability to form a complete understanding of the ongoing scholarly discussion.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic eitheor scenario: either the accepted date of the Greek alphabet's origin is correct, or the evidence from Egypt proves a much earlier origin. It doesn't fully explore the possibility of alternative explanations or the nuances within the debate.
Sustainable Development Goals
The discovery of symbols resembling the Greek alphabet on ancient Egyptian artifacts predating the commonly accepted timeline challenges conventional understanding of the alphabet's origin and evolution. This has significant implications for the study of writing systems and literacy development, which are crucial aspects of quality education. Further research might reshape historical narratives about education and its spread.