Decipher the mysterious 5,500 puzzle

Researchers have found clues to decipher strange clay balls of Mesopotamia civilization from 5,500 years ago.

Using CT scans and high-resolution 3D models to analyze more than 20 mysterious earth balls found in Choga Mish, western Iran from the 1960s, shows that inside the ball there are 1-2mm wide groove.

These slots contain cards of different shapes such as pyramids, egg shapes, tubes and cones. Particularly, there is a card because the cloth is broken so it is difficult for researchers to observe through CT scans.

The clay contains many small trenches and many strange markings to record the buying and selling process

Especially the pattern on the outside of the balls has a seal. Specifically, there is a seal in the middle of the circle and usually there are two seals above and below the ends of the ball.

The middle seals often carry complex mythological motifs such as the snake-shaped figure in the Louvre Museum. On the other hand, the seals on the two poles are repeated and have a simpler geometric pattern.

Based on this evidence, Professor Woods at Oriental University, the Chicago Institute said, it is very possible that the middle seal represents 'buyers'. The seal on either side of the ball represents the 'seller' or a third person who participates in the witness or transaction. That is why the seal pattern at both ends is repeated often.

Inside an earth containing 49 pebbles representing 49 sheep?

In addition, according to Professor Woods, the shapes of cards drawn inside the ball slot are likely to represent some kind of symbol or count of goods. For example, the egg image may be a unit equivalent to the number 10 used to count goods.

Even before, when analyzing a 3,300-year-old Nuzi clay ball found in Mesopotamia, scientists also discovered 49 stones and a picture of a shepherd. That means that this person has 49 sheep or goats. Professor Woods speculates that these earths are the archives of the ancient people.

From the mysterious clues of these clay, Professor Woods and other scientists are expected to find a way to pool and exchange the cards in the earth. In this way, they hope to find the earliest evidence of complex numbers that existed in prehistoric times.