Author(s) :

YOHANNES GEBRESILLASSIE.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

The origin of Ethiopic numerical signs has been a subject of controversy and hot debate among scholars. No consensus is yet reached. Two groups are immediately noticeable: those who claim Greek origin and those ascribe Geᶜez numerical signs to Ethiopian origin. In this short essay, I will argue that the suggestion of those who claim a Greek origin is largely on a priori assumptions. These scholars base their interpretation solely on medieval paleographical traditions, because the two inscriptions bearing the earliest Geᶜez numerical signs were revealed to scholars relatively recently. RIÉth 218 from Anza (near the town of Hauzen, Eastern Tegray) and HS1 from Ḥǝnzat (not far from the small town of Edaga Arbi, Central Tegray) were discovered in 1939 and 2011 respectively. The inscription designated HS1 (Ḥǝnzat Stela 1) is important because it bears the oldest numerical ciphers which indicate the usage of symbols (figures) to represent numerals in Geᶜez (Ethiopic); in older inscriptions numbers were written in words. I will argue that Geᶜez numerical signs may have originated from non-vocalized Geᶜez alphabets and Geᶜez punctuation stroke.

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