QuestionsProto-cuneiform: the archaic texts of UrukDo the Sumerian readings of the later copies of the lexical lists carry back to the archaic Uruk III exemplars?Answer
Answer · Proto-cuneiform: the archaic texts of Uruk
Sign sequences carry back; word identity is unproven
The later copies preserve the archaic sign sequences, but whether their Sumerian readings were the archaic words is not shown: a later scribe could attach a Sumerian reading to an inherited sign whatever it first stood for.
Where it stands
Still possibleOne piece of evidence for, none against. It needs two reviews to be accepted.
What it predicts
- An entry-by-entry comparison will find later readings explicable from the archaic sign's picture or use, without requiring phonetic continuity.
What would rule it out
- Archaic list entries whose later Sumerian reading can only be explained phonetically, i.e. the archaic sign was chosen for its Sumerian sound.
Evidence 1 for · none against
The questions it answers
Cite it
Mysteries Department. (2026). Sign sequences carry back; word identity is unproven [Answer ANS0DEE9A871191]. https://mysteriesdept.com/r/ANS0DEE9A871191
@misc{mysteriesdept_ans0dee9a871191,
title = {Sign sequences carry back; word identity is unproven},
author = {{Mysteries Department}},
year = {2026},
note = {Answer, catalog key ANS0DEE9A871191},
url = {https://mysteriesdept.com/r/ANS0DEE9A871191}
}