# How many distinct signs does Proto-Elamite have? · Proto-Elamite and Linear Elamite > Three answers have been proposed. The inventory is of the order of a thousand or more signs, many rare, as in proto-cuneiform. leads, with evidence 1… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/proto-elamite/questions/QST0D1P92YE69E3/how-many-distinct-signs-does-proto-elamite-have Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:58:29+00:00 --- **0** # How many distinct signs does Proto-Elamite have? 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: the inventory is of the order of a thousand or more signs, many rare, as in proto-cuneiform** Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. The inventory is of the order of a thousand or more signs, many rare, as in proto-cuneiform. leads, with evidence 1 for: partly supported by its tests. Two are still possible. ## Why it matters Every statistical test depends on the sign list. Counts range from Meriggi's 393 to Dahl's 1,434 and CDLI's 1,636 images, and transliteration choices shape what algorithms find⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D1P8TD07P9D/proposal-to-encode-proto-elamite-in-unicode-l2-23-196)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D1P8QF86WH3/image-aware-language-modeling-for-proto-elamite). ## Answers 3 [**The inventory is of the order of a thousand or more signs, many rare, as in proto-cuneiform.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/proto-elamite/answers/ANS0D1P9ARE1JMQ/the-inventory-is-of-the-order-of-a-thousand-or-more-signs) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 1 for Most likely [**A few hundred basic signs, with the rest variants or compounds, carry the system.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/proto-elamite/answers/ANS0D1P9B824BQT/a-few-hundred-basic-signs-with-the-rest-variants-or) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 1 for Still possible [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/proto-elamite/answers/ANS0D1P9BQP6QMG/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible ## History 1. 2002[Dahl puts forward: the inventory is of the order of a thousand or more signs, many rare, as in proto-cuneiform.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D1P8VM24MNV/proto-elamite-sign-frequencies) 1. 2002[Dahl: about 1,900 non-numerical sign forms are counted, most attested a few times.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D1P8VM24MNV/proto-elamite-sign-frequencies)For: The inventory is of the order of a thousand or more signs, many rare, as in proto-cuneiform. 1. 2019[Born et al. puts forward: a few hundred basic signs, with the rest variants or compounds, carry the system.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D8MQ7YM27YR/sign-clustering-and-topic-extraction-in-proto-elamite) 1. 2019[Born et al.: clustering and topic models group many signs into recurring families.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D8MQ7YM27YR/sign-clustering-and-topic-extraction-in-proto-elamite)For: A few hundred basic signs, with the rest variants or compounds, carry the system. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/proto-elamite/questions/QST0D1P92YE69E3/how-many-distinct-signs-does-proto-elamite-have%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/QST0D1P92YE69E3/how-many-distinct-signs-does-proto-elamite-have%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/QST0D1P92YE69E3/how-many-distinct-signs-does-proto-elamite-have%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/QST0D1P92YE69E3/how-many-distinct-signs-does-proto-elamite-have%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/QST0D1P92YE69E3/how-many-distinct-signs-does-proto-elamite-have%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?** You're here · 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?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/proto-elamite/questions/QST0D1P92ET6QY3/is-linear-elamite-a-descendant-of-proto-elamite)Most likely · linear Elamite developed from Proto-Elamite in a continuous tradition [ Ask a question under this one ]