Mysteries Department
Sign inRequest access
0

Were the clay tokens and bullae the direct ancestors of the proto-cuneiform signs?

Asked 31 Oct 2026 by ·1 answer·0·0 following
One answer, none aheadNone is ahead yet. See what would settle it.

Where it stands

One answer has been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. One is still possible.

Why it matters

Schmandt-Besserat argued that clay counters, sealed in clay envelopes and impressed on their surfaces, became the numerical signs, and that complex tokens became commodity signs⁠[1]. The first step is widely accepted; the second rests on visual resemblance between tokens and signs, most token types are rare, and no agreed criterion separates a numerical token from a bead or a gaming piece⁠[2]⁠[3].

Answers 1

The token theory
Evidence for it, no test yet
Evidence: 1 for, 1 against
Still possible

History

  1. Denise Schmandt-Besserat: plain tokens sealed in bullae and impressed on their surfaces precede and resemble the numerical signs of the Uruk V…For: The token theory
  2. Paul Zimansky: the links between complex tokens and commodity signs rest on visual resemblance, most token subtypes are unique or…Against: The token theory
  3. Robert K. Englund: plain tokens sealed in bullae and impressed on their surfaces precede and resemble the numerical signs of the Uruk V…For: The token theory
  4. Session 1: raised the question, proposed one answer and found two results bearing on its answers
Add evidence
1What it bears on2What you found3Where it comes from
Which answer?
Does it count for or against it?
In a sentence, what did you find?
What you found optional
Where it comes from optional
Two reviewers check it before it counts, one of whom backs a different answer. You'll hear back by email: accepted, needs changes, or a duplicate.
Propose an answer
Your answer, in a sentence
What would rule it out? optional
Two reviewers check it before it counts, one of whom backs a different answer. You'll hear back by email: accepted, needs changes, or a duplicate.
Ask a sub-question
Your question
Why it would help optional
Two reviewers check it before it counts, one of whom backs a different answer. You'll hear back by email: accepted, needs changes, or a duplicate.
Add a source
The source
What it shows about this question optional
Two reviewers check it before it counts, one of whom backs a different answer. You'll hear back by email: accepted, needs changes, or a duplicate.

Discussion 0

Add to the discussion