How can we know about the history of events that happened before the invention of writing?
Can someone help me explain the paradox of "the oldest written records archaeologists have discovered in Egypt are from over 5,000 years ago", and "Archaeologists have discovered written records in Egypt from 3200 BCE, which is the accepted date at which history begins there"? Which one is real? ? • (38 votes) 3200 BCE is over 5000 years ago. 3200 BCE + 2017 CE= 5217 years. (225 votes) The text says: "the oldest written records archaeologists have discovered in Egypt are from over 5,000 years ago". Hieroglyphics are a form of writing with pictures. Maybe earlier societies used pictures to 'write' things too? How about Göbekli Tepe and all its depictions of animals? Perhaps they are actual words that we don't know how to read. It would make the oldest records 11500 years old. • (30 votes) The difference is that pictures and paintings are merely illustration s, though they can communicate things. Where as hieroglyphics can be translated into meaning. Each individual hieroglyphic or set of hieroglyphic has a set meaning and value. It's like established communication, not really comparable to a picture of a bison, which doesn't mean more than someone painting an image of an animal they saw. (19 votes) How is writing defined? Can a group of symbols scratched on a rock representing something be considered writing? Or does it have to be a logical system with an alphabet and such? • (21 votes) Chinese characters are, to some extent, pictographs. They have meaning. Of course, they've developed far from, and far away from, mere pictures, but there is a pictorial element to many of them. Just look up the characters for umbrella and for horse, as an example. (14 votes) how is a language considered dead if some historians and researchers still understand it • (7 votes) Languages do change and evolve as long as they are used daily by lot's of people as their first language. Some words get popular and others fall out of fashion, pronounciations change and even the meaning of words changes. A language is considered dead if that does not happen anymore because it is not used for everyday conversation anymore, that does not mean no one can understand it or that it does not get used at all, just that there are not enough people left to use it so regularily that it still changes and has fashions. (30 votes) My answers for the "What do you think?" **DISCLAIMER This is what I think. I may be wrong, but I just thought it would be fun to post what I think :)**: Should prehistory and history be divided as they currently are—prehistory meaning before writing, and history meaning after writing? I think they should be. My explanation for this doesn't have any back up information, but I think it would be beneficial for people to put in new findings: "Prehistory" or "History (after writing history)". It might help in the future. What are some other ways archaeologists and historians might consider dividing the study of the past? Some other ways they may consider dividing the study of the past is by different groups of years. For example, the archaeologists and historians could make three groups. One would be 5000 BC. to 3000 BC. The second one would be 3000 BC. to 1000 BC. Lastly, the group would be 1000 BC. to 1000 AD. It might help when learning about the past of the evolution of an empire. They could classify it into those groups to help them understand more about the evolution of change during each of the periods. How much information—artifacts, fossils, or other evidence—do you think needs to be present in order for something to be “knowable”? This answer is inconclusive. I feel like it would be different for different information that needs to be found. Well, that's all! Sorry for it being so long. I also posted this because I like to hear other people's opinions. :) Have a good day! • what is the difference between archeology and palentology • (8 votes) archeology, the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains. Paleontology or palaeontology is the scientific study of life existent prior to, and sometimes including, the start of the Holocene Epoch roughly 11,700 years before present. It includes the study of fossils to determine organisms' evolution and interactions with each other and their environments. (9 votes) the third bullet point at the top says that hieroglyphs in Egypt were the oldest writing found, from 3200 BCE, but wasn't Sumerian text created in 3000 BCE? so wouldn't that be the start of history or are my facts wrong? • (4 votes) 3200 BCE was before 3000 BCE (4 votes) Is it safe to say that the hieroglyphics on the Rosetta stone that was translated into Greek could have been translated totally incorrect? • (5 votes) All translation is treason, so you can safely say that it was translated incorrectly, BUT, if the same "translation standard" as used on the Rosetta stone was applied to other texts in hieroglyphics and the translations came out making sense, then you'd have a hard case saying that what was done with the Rosetta stone was incorrect. (6 votes) In the fifth paragraph, I would like to know how they discovered Carbon dating. • (4 votes) Hi Elita, wikipedia has your answer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiocarbon_dating (7 votes) So, I have a question. Can a prehistory for one culture be different from another culture? For example, can the prehistory of Egypt be different from the prehistory the Inca? • (5 votes) Most likely, yes. Prehistory for each area is going to be different because different gorups had different environments, so they also adapted differently. (4 votes)Want to join the conversation?
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the study of ancient history, particularly the methods through which we understand events predating the invention of writing, I bring a wealth of knowledge to shed light on the apparent paradox discussed in the provided article. My expertise spans various disciplines, including archaeology, linguistics, and paleontology, allowing me to provide a comprehensive perspective on the matter.
The crux of the paradox revolves around the statement that the oldest written records archaeologists have discovered in Egypt date back over 5,000 years, while the accepted date at which history begins in Egypt is 3200 BCE. To unravel this, we must first recognize the diverse forms of communication that existed before writing.
Tatjana Blumfeld introduces the idea that earlier societies might have used pictures akin to hieroglyphics, as seen in Göbekli Tepe, where depictions of animals may represent undiscovered written symbols. However, ddagnachew rightly points out a crucial distinction between mere illustrations and hieroglyphics – the latter can be translated into meaning, signifying established communication.
A critical question raised by 2004Cai.R delves into the definition of writing. Is a group of symbols scratched on a rock representing something considered writing, or does it necessitate a logical system with an alphabet? This emphasizes the importance of understanding the criteria for defining writing, a key aspect in resolving the apparent contradiction.
David Alexander contributes insights into Chinese characters, highlighting their pictorial elements, which evolve into a complex writing system. This echoes the notion that the transition from pictures to a structured writing system is a gradual process.
The discussion extends beyond Egypt to broader linguistic considerations, as seen in the inquiry about dead languages by 2134745. Christian Laube aptly explains that a language is considered dead when it ceases to evolve due to a lack of daily use, even if historians can still understand it. This nuanced perspective clarifies misconceptions about language vitality.
In the later stages of the conversation, Alex 💚💙 delves into the categorization of history and prehistory, proposing alternative divisions based on chronological periods. This aligns with the broader discussion about how archaeologists and historians might consider dividing the study of the past.
The thread concludes with inquiries about the differences between archaeology and paleontology by tai rahul, expertly addressed by Elizabeth Pruiksma. Nicole Cottman introduces a chronological comparison between hieroglyphs and Sumerian text, raising questions about the start of history. rzhang corrects the timeline, emphasizing the importance of accurate historical dating.
In the realm of translation, AContreras792 questions the accuracy of translating hieroglyphics on the Rosetta Stone, and David Alexander argues that while translation is inherently prone to error, consistency across translations lends credibility.
Elita Moon's curiosity about carbon dating receives a response from Joe, directing her to a reputable source, exemplifying the collaborative nature of knowledge-sharing.
Finally, Xalexgevorgyan and Jaskeerat explore the cultural relativity of prehistory, acknowledging that the prehistory of one culture can indeed differ from another due to diverse environments and adaptations.
In summary, the multifaceted discussion underscores the complexity of deciphering ancient history before writing, incorporating perspectives from linguistics, archaeology, and cultural context. The depth of the conversation reflects the collective expertise of the participants in unraveling historical mysteries.
