Oldest writing in the New World discovered

[Swamp Rat]

A slab inscribed with the oldest writing yet discovered in the New World has been discovered in the Veracruz lowlands in Mexico.

The writing dates back nearly 3000 years to the height of the Olmec culture that was the first Mesoamerican civilisation, Mexican archaeologists report.

Called the Cascajal slab, it had been rescued along with other artefacts from a quarry at Lomas de Tacamichapa, in 1999, where it had been destined for use in road fill.

Isolated symbols have been found on a few Olmec artefacts, but the slab is the first solid evidence of a true written language, says Stephen Houston at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, US, who helped analyse it. (The slab is pictured to the right – scroll down for a clear drawing of the inscribed symbols)

(snip)

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn10076-oldest-writing-in-the-new-world-discovered.html

Note: originally posted by mikelewis in GD.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2140222&mesg_id=2140222

[Maestro]

1. That is cool!

The Mesoamerican culture was so rich, brutal at times, but so culturally rich.