# Is Linear Elamite a descendant of Proto-Elamite? · Proto-Elamite and Linear Elamite > Three answers have been proposed. Linear Elamite developed from Proto-Elamite in a continuous tradition. leads, with evidence 2 for: partly supported by… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/proto-elamite/questions/QST0D1P92ET6QY3/is-linear-elamite-a-descendant-of-proto-elamite Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:58:29+00:00 --- **0** # Is Linear Elamite a descendant of Proto-Elamite? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [Does Proto-Elamite record a language?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/proto-elamite/questions/QST0D1P9270104G/does-proto-elamite-record-a-language)·3 answers·0·0 following **Most likely: linear Elamite developed from Proto-Elamite in a continuous tradition** Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. Linear Elamite developed from Proto-Elamite in a continuous tradition. leads, with evidence 2 for: partly supported by its tests. Two are still possible. ## Why it matters Desset's claim that one script grew into the other would make south-western Iran the home of a phonetic script with roots before 3000 BC. Dahl and Kelley reply that the resemblances are borrowings across an 800-year gap⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D1P8MSA3TW6/the-decipherment-of-linear-elamite-writing)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D1P8N8Y0ZBR/have-scholars-finally-deciphered-a-mysterious-ancient-script). ## Answers 3 [**Linear Elamite developed from Proto-Elamite in a continuous tradition.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/proto-elamite/answers/ANS0D1P97TP0BY5/linear-elamite-developed-from-proto-elamite-in-a-continuous) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 2 for Most likely [**Linear Elamite scribes imitated Proto-Elamite signs after a break, so the resemblance is archaising, not…** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/proto-elamite/answers/ANS0D1P98J4122W/linear-elamite-scribes-imitated-proto-elamite-signs-after-a) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 2 for Still possible [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/proto-elamite/answers/ANS0D1P999J1NJP/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible ## History 1. 2009[Dahl puts forward: linear Elamite scribes imitated Proto-Elamite signs after a break, so the resemblance is archaising, not…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D1P8P0C7MZ0/early-writing-in-iran-a-reappraisal) 1. 2009[Dahl: linear Elamite sign forms are unstandardised and may include pseudo-glyphs, as expected of a script with few…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D1P8P0C7MZ0/early-writing-in-iran-a-reappraisal)For: Linear Elamite scribes imitated Proto-Elamite signs after a break, so the resemblance is archaising, not… 1. 2020[Mäder: 50.5 per cent of sign forms are identical and 16.8 per cent similar between the two scripts; seven…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D1P8V4E2JJD/proto-und-linear-elamisch-formaler-vergleich-berechnung-des)For: Linear Elamite developed from Proto-Elamite in a continuous tradition. 1. 2022[Desset et al. puts forward: linear Elamite developed from Proto-Elamite in a continuous tradition.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D1P8MSA3TW6/the-decipherment-of-linear-elamite-writing) 1. 2022[Lawler: about 800 years separate the two corpora.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D1P8N8Y0ZBR/have-scholars-finally-deciphered-a-mysterious-ancient-script)For: Linear Elamite scribes imitated Proto-Elamite signs after a break, so the resemblance is archaising, not… 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/proto-elamite/questions/QST0D1P92ET6QY3/is-linear-elamite-a-descendant-of-proto-elamite%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/proto-elamite/questions/QST0D1P92ET6QY3/is-linear-elamite-a-descendant-of-proto-elamite%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/proto-elamite/questions/QST0D1P92ET6QY3/is-linear-elamite-a-descendant-of-proto-elamite%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/proto-elamite/questions/QST0D1P92ET6QY3/is-linear-elamite-a-descendant-of-proto-elamite%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/proto-elamite/questions/QST0D1P92ET6QY3/is-linear-elamite-a-descendant-of-proto-elamite%23add-source) Where it fits Proto-Elamite and Linear Elamite [**Does Proto-Elamite record a language?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/proto-elamite/questions/QST0D1P9270104G/does-proto-elamite-record-a-language)Key question · most likely proto-Elamite is an administrative notation recording quantities, commodities, persons and institutions… [How many distinct signs does Proto-Elamite have?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/proto-elamite/questions/QST0D1P92YE69E3/how-many-distinct-signs-does-proto-elamite-have)Most likely · the inventory is of the order of a thousand or more signs, many rare, as in proto-cuneiform **Is Linear Elamite a descendant of Proto-Elamite?** You're here · linear Elamite developed from Proto-Elamite in a continuous tradition [ Ask a question under this one ]