In taking a preliminary survey of language, speech, and the alphabet, we have made some interesting discoveries. The study of words and symbols tells us of ancient sites, culture, geographic setting, and level of sophistication. They tell us of ancient travel patterns and show that ancient travelers left their calling cards all over the world in the form of place names which can be traced back to their sources in the Old World, but with some degree of uncertainty to be sure. We see indications of deterioration after a previous higher level which hints at catastrophic events. We find no support at all for any kind of evolutionary development of language. If anything, the evidence clearly shows that languages have become simplified out of a more complex past. The development of English is a good example of this. In all of our exploration we find that the characteristics and events in language and the alphabet fit very comfortably within a framework of history as described in Genesis. Perhaps our greatest surprise is the unmistakable evidence in support of linking the alphabet with star formations. But as we have stressed before, such an origin has no relationship at all with astrology. It seems reasonable to say that linguistic studies will continue to be immensely useful and will continue to illuminate the ancient past.

There are many complicating factors. We have noted more than once that deliberate attempts were made in many cultures to keep a knowledge of writing away from all except a small elite group in the society. Writing was sacred, and thus it is no surprise to see civilizations moving from alphabetical systems to more complicated ways. Another factor which must not be overlooked is the tabu. There is the odd Inca legend, for example, that writing was once known but abolished by an ancient ruler on the assumption that writing had caused a plague. It seems reasonable to say that cultures changed radically overnight as a result of a tabu imposed by the person or group in power. The tabu may help to explain the curious absence of important inventions in cultures at later states of development. We know, for example, that the wheel was well known in the Middle American cultures and was used for toys. Yet by the time of the Spanish explorers the wheel was unknown (Berlitz. 1972. p. 53-57).

The sacredness of writing and the tabu may be better explanations for the peculiar development of writing than any theory of gradual development from primitive to modern forms.

We examined some words of unusual historical richness. We learned some interesting insights about the Pre-Flood world on the basis of word studies. We found that ancient astronomical words told us much of early sophistication and traumatic events which changed the course of history many times. We discovered that word studies can teach us much about the ancient world, far beyond the mere meaning of the words themselves. The reader will agree that field archaeology and linguistic studies must go hand in hand whenever this is possible. Each gives us Information of critical importance. Searching out the significance of words and place names shows that there is Indeed a valuable study in the archaeology of words.