Letter: Ancient mystery

Sir: Perhaps the archaeologists have uncovered more than "the earliest example of an inscription written in letters of the alphabet" (report, 22 November). The symbols shown, which could be the precursors of M, T and R but might presumably be something entirely different, together with the difficulty in deciphering the inscription's meaning, could indicate that this is the first known computer manual.

ARTHUR GRIMSHAW

Sevenoaks, Kent