Ancient Semetic Languages

[one_raven]

Can anyone give me a source which traces the roots of the languages spoken in the Middle East back from 5,000 to 600 BCE or thereabouts?

What I am looking for is essentially a Semitic langauge family tree that will outline changes to the languages over different regions over time.

Thanks.

 

[one_raven]

Also, what is the oldest Semitic language to have been written on tapa?
Do we have any examples of Akkadian on tapa, or just on clay?

 

[Xylene]

Just guessing, One Raven, but I'd say Sumerian was the oldest Semitic language, and probably the oldest writing system (on clay, so far as I know).