Language and writing systems of the ancient Canarian aboriginals

The "Berber Idol" represents the only Libyco-Berber inscription on pottery in the Canary Islands, and was found at the site of Buracas in Garafía. It is yet to be deciphered. This script was brought by the earliest aboriginals that arrived from Northwest Africa. Displayed at the Museo Arqueológico Benahoarita. © Carlos Vermeersch

Language

The original language is now only preserved in a few sentences and individual words, with additional information provided by various place names. Many linguists today argue that it is part of the Berber branch within the Afroasiatic language family.

Although certain Berber words, particularly related to agriculture, can be recognized in the language, no Berber grammatical inflections have been found. In fact, there is a significant amount of vocabulary that bears no resemblance to Berber whatsoever.

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