15 sept 06

Greetings,

We know what part of the 3,000 year old pre-Columbian Olmec pictograph writing says on the 26 pound slab of rock recently discovered near Cascajal and Veracruz along the Gulf of Mexico.

"The text conforms to all expectations of writing."

The researchers wrote that the sequences of signs reflected “patterns of language, with the probable presence of syntax and language-dependant word orders.”

Several paired sequences of signs, scholars said, have prompted speculation that the text may contain couplets of poetry.

Scientists "detected regular patterns and order, suggesting a text segmented into what almost look like sentences, with clear beginnings and clear endings."

A rough partial translation of the 62 signs says:

"Everything passes. We hunt, fish, forage, celebrate, dance and sing. We practice love and kindness. We teach our children to respect nature and all living things. We celebrate diversity with tolerance. We scratch on hard..."

The NYT story and image of the signs by John Noble Wilford is b-linked.

Peace.

Writing On Stone