Archaeologists have discovered what may be the world’s oldest emoji – a smiley face painted on an 3,700-year-old piece of pottery.
During an excavation at an ancient city whose remains are in modern-day Turkey near the Syrian border, archaeologists found the ancient pitcher with three visible paint strokes on it – two dots for eyes and a curve for a smile.
The pitcher, which dates to about 1700 BC, was found in a burial site beneath a house in Karkemish, said Nikolo Marchetti, associate professor at the University of Bologna in Italy.
Also Read: Here Are 13 Emojis We Indians Really Need
The archaeologists also found other vases and pots, as well as metal goods in the ancient city.
The name Karkemish translates to “Quay of (the god) Kamis,” a deity popular at that time in northern Syria.
It was used once more in 1920 as a Turkish military outpost, they said.
(We all love to express ourselves, but how often do we do it in our mother tongue? Here's your chance! This Independence Day, khul ke bol with BOL – Love your Bhasha. Sing, write, perform, spew poetry – whatever you like – in your mother tongue. Send us your BOL at bol@thequint.com or WhatsApp it to 9910181818.)
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