An archaeological discovery that has shocked the academic world took place in Georgia, near Bashplemi Lake in the Dmanisi region. In 2021, a group of local fishermen stumbled upon a basalt stone tablet inscribed with writing that, to this day, remains undeciphered.
The finding was published in the Journal of Ancient History and Archaeology in 2024 by Ramaz Shengelia and his team, who documented the mysterious script carved into the tablet.
The discovery raises a profound question: Could this be evidence of a writing system previously unknown to history?
A Mysterious Tablet with Unidentified Symbols
Measuring 24.1 cm by 20.1 cm, the tablet was carved with remarkable precision into basalt using a conical drill, then smoothed with rounded tools. The craftsmanship indicates an advanced level of skill by its ancient creators.
Experts identified 60 symbols on the surface, 39 of which appear to be unique. These symbols are arranged across seven horizontal lines.
The Archaeologists say the tablet is authentic - its basalt composition matches the local geology, and visible scratch marks suggest it was cleaned by modern locals unaware of its historical value.
Interestingly, the symbols do not correspond to any known writing system. However, they do feature partial similarities to ancient scripts from the Middle East, India, Egypt, and even western Iberia.
Researchers have also noted visual similarities to the Proto-Kartvelian script of the 4th millennium BC, pre-Christian Georgian seals, and early Caucasian writing systems such as the Georgian Mrgvlovani and Albanian alphabets.
Despite these partial connections, the Bashplemi tablet does not directly replicate any known script. This strongly suggests it may represent a locally developed and previously undocumented system of writing.
An Enigma of Age and Purpose
Based on archaeological evidence found near the site—including fragments of pottery, obsidian, and stone mortars—researchers estimate that the tablet dates back to the Late Bronze Age or Early Iron Age, approximately between 1400 BCE and 600 BCE.
Bashplemi Lake itself lies on a volcanic plateau that has historically received little archaeological attention, despite surface finds indicating significant ancient human activity in the area.
Several theories have been proposed regarding the tablet’s possible function. Scholars suggest that the symbols may have recorded war spoils, construction projects, or religious offerings. Others speculate that it could have been part of an administrative or ceremonial writing tradition, possibly once recorded on perishable materials like wood or animal hide—materials unlikely to survive the humid climate of the Caucasus.
Ancient texts by authors such as Apollonius of Rhodes mention writing practices in the region of Colchis, which corresponds to modern-day western Georgia. However, direct archaeological evidence has been scarce. The Bashplemi tablet may represent a long-lost piece of that historical puzzle—offering new insight into a forgotten chapter of the region’s past.
A Window into Ancient Cultural Interactions
This discovery adds a new dimension to the historical narrative of the Dmanisi region, already renowned as one of the oldest hominin sites in Eurasia. The tablet’s partial resemblance to ancient writing systems from geographically distant regions suggests the possibility of cultural and technological exchange between the Caucasus and the broader ancient world—including South Asia and the Middle East.
The unique combination of symbols implies that the Bashplemi community may have developed a complex system of written communication, one that has yet to be widely documented or understood.
Researchers are still working to decipher the tablet’s symbols. If successfully translated, the Bashplemi tablet could offer groundbreaking insights into the communication systems and social structures of ancient Caucasian societies.
