Chapter 1: The Dawn of Recorded History

In the prehistoric epoch, humanity did not document its experiences. The earliest known written accounts date back over 5,000 years to ancient Egypt, marking the commencement of recorded history. Over centuries, historians and archaeologists have endeavored to interpret the scripts and symbols of early civilizations. This inquiry has led to a fascinating question: What was the very first human name to be documented?

It's important to note that the skill of writing has evolved dramatically throughout human history. For millennia, people existed without any written records until someone conceived the idea of recording information.

A Notable Figure Named Kushim You might assume that the earliest name in recorded history would belong to a prominent figure—perhaps a celebrated king, a victorious general, or a renowned poet. Such figures tend to appear more frequently in historical accounts, making it likely their names would have been inscribed first.

Surprisingly, the name most widely recognized as the first recorded in history is not that of a monarch, warrior, or bard, but rather an accountant. A clay tablet, dating back 5,000 years and unearthed from what is now Uruk in Southern Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), suggests that the first name ever recorded was that of an accountant named "Kushim."

Image Source: Amusing Plant (No Known Copyright Restrictions) Historians believe that Kushim's role involved managing storerooms filled with barley, wheat, and early forms of beer. He meticulously recorded transactions of these goods on clay tablets using cuneiform writing.

Cuneiform, one of the earliest known writing systems, derives its name from the Latin term meaning "wedge-shaped." This is due to the use of a reed stylus to create wedge-like impressions in wet clay, which would harden upon drying.

An Uncertain Timeline for the Tablets Currently, approximately 18 cuneiform tablets attributed to Kushim have been recovered, but historians find it challenging to pinpoint when they were inscribed. These tablets primarily document the transactions of various commodities. Based on expert estimates, the creation of these tablets likely occurred between 3100 and 3000 BC, making Kushim's existence nearly 5,000 years ago.

Kushim's name first appeared in a tablet that recorded a barley transaction, with a clear barley symbol etched into it. Some characters enclosed within a diamond shape are thought to signify months. Other symbols remain ambiguous, leading to various interpretations, including a possible reference to a structure interpreted as a brewery, hinting that the barley traded might have been used for beer production.

The symbols in the upper left corner seemingly denote the sound "Ku Šim." Additionally, early numerical symbols on the tablet suggest a total of approximately 29,086 measures of barley scheduled for delivery over 37 months, attributed to Kushim. However, there is some debate among historians, with some suggesting the total might be closer to 135,000.

This divergence in understanding cuneiform makes it difficult to assert definitively whether the tablet records such a transaction or confirms that it indeed refers to "Kushim." It could represent something entirely different; for instance, "Kushim" might have been a title or designation like "barley assessor" or "accountant."

Nonetheless, most scholars accept that Kushim was a real individual, as the other 17 tablets mentioning his name also include the title "Sanga," which translates to "temple administrator."

Other Names Discovered Among the Tablets If historians are correct, "Kushim" is just the first among several names found on these tablets. In some of the 18 cuneiform tablets mentioning Kushim, another name, Nisa, has also surfaced. Nisa is believed to have been another official working alongside Kushim, potentially also involved in recording business transactions.

Other Mesopotamian tablets have revealed additional names that rank among the earliest recorded. One tablet, dated around 3100 BC, features a heading stating, “Two slaves held by Gal-Sal,” with Gal-Sal likely being the owner of the two slaves, whose names, “En-pap X and Sukkalgir,” were also documented.

This finding makes the discovery somewhat less extraordinary but far more relatable. As Robert Krulwich of National Geographic aptly puts it, “Kings come, kings go, but keeping track of your barley—your sheep, your money, your property—that’s the real story of the world.”

Much of history has been chronicled amidst wars, grand events, and significant spectacles, often overshadowing the more mundane, yet relatable aspects of life. The knowledge that the first recorded name belonged to an accountant engaged in business activities serves as a poignant reminder that, alongside the renowned figures of antiquity, ordinary individuals lived everyday lives.

Chapter 2: The First Names in History

This video explores the identity of the first individuals in recorded history, shedding light on the significance of these early names.

This video delves into the earliest recorded person in history, revealing the intriguing details surrounding their life and role.