TIL that on pre-colonial Easter Island there existed an undeciphered system of writing or proto-writing, called Rongorongo, which would be one of few independent inventions of writing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rongorongo
188 points · 7 comments · view on lemmy.world
7 Comments
rephlekt2718@kbin.social · 12 pts · 2y
What does independent mean here? Not influenced by a previous writing system? Does this imply that all other writing systems have a singular source?
ggppjj@lemmy.world · 34 pts · 2y
It implies that most of the written languages we're aware of have been based on preexisting character sets, with very few root character sets. This is one of those few root sets.
rephlekt2718@kbin.social · 7 pts · 2y
Amazing! Do you happen to know where the root sets arose from?
sgibson5150@kbin.social · 29 pts · 2y
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_writing#Inventions_of_writing
According to the article, experts currently believe that writing was invented independently at least four times:
There is still debate around Rongorongo script and Vinča symbols, since no is sure if they are actually writing systems.
rephlekt2718@kbin.social · 8 pts · 2y
This is sick, thanks for the info!!
SeriousBusinessSocks@lemmy.ca · 0 pts · 2y
SeriousBusinessSocks@lemmy.ca · 2 pts · 2y
A very very good and tragic podcast about Easter island, where this is also mentioned. The whole series is excellent.
Fall of Civilizations Podcast - 6. Easter Island Where Giants Walked
Burnt@lemmy.one · 1 pts · 2y
Such an amazing series! I love that there are content creators who make documentaries that rival mainstream production companies in terms of quality and their content is practically free.