Question

What was the first system of identification?

Answer 1

The first system of personal identification was called anthropometry. It distinguished one individual from another based on a series of body measurements.

Первая система идентификации личности была названа антропометрией. Это отличает одного человека от другого на основе серии измерений тела.

Answer 2

The earliest forms of identification systems were likely based on visual and physical characteristics, such as facial features, body markings, and unique personal attributes. These methods were used for recognition within small, localized communities.

However, if we're talking about more structured and systematic identification systems, the earliest recorded system is often attributed to ancient civilizations using rudimentary methods. For example:

1. Cuneiform Tablets: In ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), around 4000 BCE, cuneiform tablets were used to record information about individuals and transactions. These tablets could include names, professions, and other identifying information.

2. Seals and Signatures: Ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Sumerians, and Greeks used seals and signatures to authenticate documents and transactions. Individuals would create unique markings or symbols as their personal identifiers.

3. Tattoos and Branding: Some ancient societies used tattoos or branding to mark individuals as slaves, criminals, or members of certain groups. These markings served as forms of identification, albeit often involuntary.

4. Clay Tokens: In ancient Sumer, around 8000 BCE, clay tokens of various shapes were used to represent commodities or quantities. This could be seen as an early form of identification and record-keeping.

5. Language and Oral Tradition: In many pre-literate societies, individuals were identified through oral traditions and storytelling, where their genealogy, accomplishments, and other personal details were memorized and passed down through generations.

It's important to note that these early identification systems were limited in scope and often tied to specific cultural or societal contexts. More advanced and widespread identification systems, such as official government-issued IDs, fingerprints, and biometrics, developed much later in history as societies became more complex and organized.