World's oldest alphabetic writing discovered in Syria, claim archaeologists

US archaeologists claim to have found the world's oldest-known alphabetic writing. The writings, dating back to around 2,400 BCE and preceding other known alphabetic scripts by 500 years, are etched onto finger-length clay cylinders which were excavated from a Syrian tomb. The cylinders were perforated, likely tethered to another object as a label and possibly detail a vessel's contents.