Research and sources

Research Before Print

Verified text first. Decoration second.

This page records the current public research status for the first Scripts of Humanity prototypes. It is intentionally conservative: where the full source trail is not ready for public release, the record says so instead of inventing citations.

Final card text must be checked against Unicode references, licensed fonts, historical sources, geographic notes, directionality notes, material traditions, and culturally respectful presentation before print.

Dataset status: in development

Methodology

How Records Are Checked

Unicode sourceScript examples are checked against Unicode block references before they are treated as authoritative.

Font licensingFinal production requires appropriately licensed fonts or verified lettering sources.

Historical notesDates, geography, direction, and material traditions are source-checked and marked if under review.

Cultural respectWriting systems are presented as living or historical cultural traditions, not decorative texture.

Specialist reviewWhere needed, review by knowledgeable readers or specialists is planned before print.

No hallucinated glyphsAI-generated characters are not used as authoritative script examples.

Prototype research records

First Eight Scripts

Tamil

Prototype visual verified

Unicode source: Unicode Tamil block chart
Geographic notes: South Asia; final card copy under source review.
Direction: Left to right in modern use.
Material tradition: Palm leaf manuscript, inscription, paper, print; final wording under review.
Historical references: Full print bibliography in development.
Specialist review: Appropriate review pending before print.

Cuneiform

Prototype visual verified

Unicode source: Unicode Cuneiform block chart
Geographic notes: Ancient Mesopotamian context; final scope under source review.
Direction: Direction and layout varied by period and medium; final card note under review.
Material tradition: Clay tablets and inscriptions; final wording under review.
Historical references: Full print bibliography in development.
Specialist review: Specialist review recommended before print.

Egyptian Hieroglyphs

Prototype visual verified

Unicode source: Unicode Egyptian Hieroglyphs block chart
Geographic notes: Ancient Egypt; final historical note under source review.
Direction: Direction can vary with glyph orientation and layout; final card note under review.
Material tradition: Stone, temple walls, tombs, papyrus; final wording under review.
Historical references: Full print bibliography in development.
Specialist review: Specialist review recommended before print.

Arabic

Prototype visual verified

Unicode source: Unicode Arabic block chart
Geographic notes: West Asia, North Africa, and wider global use; final scope under source review.
Direction: Right to left.
Material tradition: Inscription, parchment, paper, manuscript, print; final wording under review.
Historical references: Full print bibliography in development.
Specialist review: Appropriate review pending before print.

Hangul

Prototype visual verified

Unicode source: Unicode Hangul Syllables block chart
Geographic notes: Korean peninsula and diaspora; final card copy under source review.
Direction: Left to right in modern horizontal use; historical layout notes under review.
Material tradition: Manuscript, woodblock, movable type, paper, print; final wording under review.
Historical references: Full print bibliography in development.
Specialist review: Appropriate review pending before print.

Han

Prototype visual verified

Unicode source: Unicode CJK Unified Ideographs block chart
Geographic notes: East Asian writing traditions; final scope and naming under source review.
Direction: Traditional vertical and modern horizontal conventions; final card note under review.
Material tradition: Brush and ink, bamboo or wood slips, paper, print; final wording under review.
Historical references: Full print bibliography in development.
Specialist review: Specialist review recommended before print.

Cherokee

Prototype visual verified

Unicode source: Unicode Cherokee block chart
Geographic notes: Cherokee communities; final card copy under source review.
Direction: Left to right in modern use.
Material tradition: Manuscript, print, digital use; final wording under review.
Historical references: Full print bibliography in development.
Specialist review: Appropriate review recommended before print.

Ethiopic / Geʻez

Prototype visual verified

Unicode source: Unicode Ethiopic block chart
Geographic notes: Horn of Africa traditions; final card copy under source review.
Direction: Left to right.
Material tradition: Parchment manuscript, church and scholarly traditions, print; final wording under review.
Historical references: Full print bibliography in development.
Specialist review: Appropriate review recommended before print.