# What language do the Dhofari inscriptions record? · Dhofari script > Three answers have been proposed. An extinct Semitic language related to Modern South Arabian but not ancestral to it. leads, with evidence 2 for: partly… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/dhofari-script/questions/QST0D7QBG5R5CGG/what-language-do-the-dhofari-inscriptions-record Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:57:17+00:00 --- **0** # What language do the Dhofari inscriptions record? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·3 answers·0·0 following **Most likely: an extinct Semitic language related to Modern South Arabian but not ancestral to it** Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. An extinct Semitic language related to Modern South Arabian but not ancestral to it. leads, with evidence 2 for: partly supported by its tests. Two are still possible. Of the one narrower question under it, none is answered yet. ## Why it matters The answer bears on the linguistic history of southern Arabia and on whether the Modern South Arabian languages have written ancestors⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D7QB83Y6EZ6/the-decipherment-of-the-dhofari-script-three-halham)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D7QB9JT65D3/reflections-on-the-linguistic-map-of-pre-islamic-arabia). ## Answers 3 [**An extinct Semitic language related to Modern South Arabian but not ancestral to it.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/dhofari-script/answers/ANS0D7QBK3G3NXT/an-extinct-semitic-language-related-to-modern-south-arabian) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 2 for Most likely [**An early form of Modern South Arabian (ancestral to Mehri, Jibbali or Socotri).** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/dhofari-script/answers/ANS0D7QBKTY5A2A/an-early-form-of-modern-south-arabian-ancestral-to-mehri) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: 1 against Disputed [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/dhofari-script/answers/ANS0D7QBMAJ0Z72/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible ## History 1. 2025[Al-Jallad puts forward: an extinct Semitic language related to Modern South Arabian but not ancestral to it.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D7QB83Y6EZ6/the-decipherment-of-the-dhofari-script-three-halham) 1. 2025[Al-Jallad: preliminary readings find forms paralleled in Mehri and Jibbali.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D7QB83Y6EZ6/the-decipherment-of-the-dhofari-script-three-halham)For: An extinct Semitic language related to Modern South Arabian but not ancestral to it. 1. 2025[Al-Jallad: interdental loss is not compatible with direct ancestry of the modern languages, which keep them.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D7QB83Y6EZ6/the-decipherment-of-the-dhofari-script-three-halham)Against: An early form of Modern South Arabian (ancestral to Mehri, Jibbali or Socotri). 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/dhofari-script/questions/QST0D7QBG5R5CGG/what-language-do-the-dhofari-inscriptions-record%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/dhofari-script/questions/QST0D7QBG5R5CGG/what-language-do-the-dhofari-inscriptions-record%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/dhofari-script/questions/QST0D7QBG5R5CGG/what-language-do-the-dhofari-inscriptions-record%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/dhofari-script/questions/QST0D7QBG5R5CGG/what-language-do-the-dhofari-inscriptions-record%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/dhofari-script/questions/QST0D7QBG5R5CGG/what-language-do-the-dhofari-inscriptions-record%23add-source) Where it fits Dhofari script **What language do the Dhofari inscriptions record?** Key question · you're here [When were the Dhofari inscriptions written?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/dhofari-script/questions/QST0D7QBGNC3QWE/when-were-the-dhofari-inscriptions-written)Most likely · mainly in the last centuries BC to the first centuries AD [ Ask a question under this one ]