UGARITIC SCRIPT Meaning and
Definition
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The Ugaritic Script refers to the distinctive writing system used for the Ugaritic language, which was spoken in the ancient city of Ugarit in modern-day Ras Shamra, Syria. It constitutes one of the earliest known alphabetic scripts and is believed to have been developed around the 14th century BCE.
The Ugaritic Script consists of around 30 symbols or signs, which are predominantly formed by a combination of straight lines and wedges. These signs represent consonantal sounds, and the script lacked the representation of vowel sounds. Consequently, the reader was required to fill in the necessary vowels when deciphering the text, posing a challenge for modern scholars in reconstructing the original pronunciation of Ugaritic words.
The Ugaritic Script was predominantly written from left to right in horizontal lines, with occasional variants including vertical or boustrophedon (alternating direction) arrangements. It was primarily employed for inscriptions on clay tablets, which were then baked or dried to preserve the information. The text found in these tablets covers a wide range of topics, including literature, legal documents, administrative records, and religious texts related to Ugaritic deities.
Although the Ugaritic language and its script went out of use and remained undeciphered for millennia, their rediscovery in the mid-20th century significantly contributed to the understanding of ancient Near Eastern cultures and languages. By analyzing the Ugaritic Script in conjunction with other ancient Semitic writings, scholars have been able to decipher the language and gain valuable insights into the history, religion, and literature of the Ugaritic civilization.
Etymology of UGARITIC SCRIPT
The word "Ugaritic" comes from the ancient city of Ugarit, which was located in modern-day Ras Shamra, Syria. The city of Ugarit was an important cultural and economic center in the eastern Mediterranean during the late Bronze Age (approximately 1400-1200 BCE).
The script used in Ugarit, known as the Ugaritic script, was discovered in the early 20th century through the excavation of ancient clay tablets. It was a cuneiform script, consisting of wedge-shaped signs inscribed onto clay tablets using a stylus. The term "Ugaritic" was used to refer to the language, culture, and script of Ugarit.
The name "Ugaritic" itself is derived from the Akkadian language, which was spoken in Mesopotamia during ancient times.
