The Development Of Alphabet- 5th Century BC to 200 AD

The alphabet has developed over many centuries and has been developed for a number of mutual and competing needs.

5th century BC- Arabic script

In the 5th century BC, an inscription in the form of a stele (inscribed column) is created in northwest Arabia, in Tema. This system eventually evolves one thousand years later as Arabic script. The Nabataeans, a Semitic language speaking people, developed this script in the 1st century BC to document and record their prosperity on caravan treks. In the 7th century AD, it became necessary to accurately record the words of God for the Qur’an in Arabic. This becomes another world standard through the religious dispersion of Islam.

2nd c. BC - 3rd c. AD- Central American Inscription

In 2002 and 2006 Olmec stelae were uncovered dating to 650 BC and 900 BC, respectively. The early civilization of Olmecs in central America developed a written calendar. The Zapotecs were previously attributed as being the first central American civilization with a system of inscriptions dating to 500 BC. Mayans had the most sophisticated system of writing, inscribing on ceremonial stelae with hieroglyphs in Tikal dated to 292 AD. There are some phonetic elements to this writing system and the interpretation of this language is not entirely understood. What is known is that the Mayans used these inscriptions to record calculations associated with astronomy, the calendar, listings of rulers, their conquests and dynasties. These central American civilizations were not literate societies, only priests and palace officials were deemed estimable for the privilege of literacy.

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