Is rongorongo a pre-contact writing system, and can it be read?
Three answers, none aheadNone is ahead yet. See what would settle it.
Where it stands
Three answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Three are still possible.
Why it matters
If the script predates 1722 it is one of very few independent inventions of writing; it survives on fewer than 30 objects and is undeciphered[1].
Answers 3
History
- Ferrara et al. puts forward: rongorongo was in use before European contact.
- Ferrara et al. puts forward: the script was invented after islanders saw the Spanish annexation document signed in 1770.
- Ferrara et al.: one Rome tablet's wood dates securely to the mid-fifteenth century; three others are nineteenth century.For: Rongorongo was in use before European contact.
- Ferrara et al.: most dated tablets are nineteenth century.For: The script was invented after islanders saw the Spanish annexation document signed in 1770.
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