Scientists have named the oldest name, and it is still in use

Have you ever wondered what is the oldest name on the planet? No, we don't mean Adam and Eve, which the Bible mentions. We are talking about the name of a real person whose existence is documented. Archaeologists named it and a small tablet made of baked clay, measuring 8 by 8 centimeters, helped them in this.

A square tablet, similar to a beer stand, scientists found during excavations of the Sumerian city of Uruk. According to the most conservative estimates, this nondescript artifact is 3,100 years old. On the surface of the clay there are dashes and figures that will not say anything to an ordinary person. But experts in the field of Sumerian writing immediately understood what was what and were delighted with the valuable find.

The clay square turned out to be something like an accounting report. On it, an ancient seller recorded the results of the barley trade for someone. At the bottom, in the center, schematically depicted a sheaf of barley. A little to the left is a square building with a chimney. This is almost certainly a brewery, because it was the Sumerians who were famous for their barley beer. This is confirmed by the vessel depicted on the edge with a sheaf of barley inside, apparently symbolizing a jug with a foamy drink.

Above the picture, the quantity of the product was indicated, as well as the time — three holes and seven recesses. All together, it says that "29,086 measures of barley were received in 37 months." In the upper left corner of the plate above the image of the vessel there are two symbols.

Scientists know what sounds they mean — "ku-sim". But at the same time, there were discussions for a long time about what this combination means. After much debate, it was decided that this was the name of the merchant or accountant who was engaged in accounting. The official's name was Kushim, and perhaps, in the modern manner, Kasim.

It turns out that the oldest human name known to science is Kushim. However, there is some probability that "kushim" is a position. But since the word was also found on other monuments of writing as a signature, then, most likely, this name. Nowadays, Kushims can be found in Central and Central Asia, the Middle East and even in Ukraine. The name is not too common, but it can be both a first name and a last name.