Rongorongo

Top 10 Undeciphered Ancient Scripts

Rongorongo: Found on wooden tablets from Easter Island, Rongorongo consists of intricate glyphs carved in boustrophedon style. These glyphs depict humans, animals, and geometric shapes, possibly linked to Polynesian oral traditions. Despite numerous attempts, no confirmed translation exists. The script emerged after European contact, raising questions about its origins—indigenous development or inspired by foreign writing? With fewer than 30 surviving tablets, and no bilingual texts, decipherment remains stalled. Rongorongo stands as one of Oceania’s greatest linguistic mysteries, potentially holding the lost history of the Rapa Nui people.

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Piper - August 28, 2025TOP

Rongorongo refers to a system of mysterious glyphs found on carved wooden tablets from Easter Island. Its discovery in the 19th century, after much of the island's culture was eroded, ignited immediate intrigue. Despite numerous attempts, the script remains entirely undeciphered. Scholars cannot even agree if it represents true writing, proto-writing, or a form of mnemonics. The glyphs, which depict humans, animals, and geometric forms, are beautifully intricate yet utterly silent. Their meaning, and the history they may hold, is one of linguistics' most captivating and enduring puzzles.

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