The oldest Elamite script, known as Proto-Elamite, first appeared in about 3100 BC in Suse (Susa), the capital of Elam, in south-western Persia (modern Iran). The Proto-Elamite script is thought to have been developed from an early Sumerian script.
The Proto-Elamite script consists of about 1,000 signs and is therefore thought to be partly logographic. It has yet to be deciphered, and the language it represents is unknown.
Old Elamite was a syllabic script derived from Proto-Elamite and was used between about 2250 and 2220 BC, though was probably invented are an earlier date. Old Elamite has only been partially deciphered, mainly by Walter Hinz.
Old Elamite consisted of about 80 symbols and was written in vertical columns running from top to bottom and left to right.
The Elamite Cuneiform script was used from about 2500 BC to 331 AD and was adapted from Akkadian Cuneiform. The Elamite Cuneiform script consisted of about 130 symbols, far fewer than most other cuneiform scripts.
Information about the Elamite Empire
http://www.cais-soas.com
http://www.allempires.com/empires/elamite/elamite1.htm
Akkadian, Elamite, Hittite, Old Persian Cuneiform, Sumerian, Ugaritic
Linear A, Indus/Harappa script, Phaistos Disc script, Proto-Elamite, Old Elamite, Rongo Rongo, Vinča script
Page last modified: 23.04.21
[top]
You can support this site by Buying Me A Coffee, and if you like what you see on this page, you can use the buttons below to share it with people you know.
If you like this site and find it useful, you can support it by making a donation via PayPal or Patreon, or by contributing in other ways. Omniglot is how I make my living.
Note: all links on this site to Amazon.com
[top]
