Brahmi Alphabet

Brahmi script is an ancestor of almost all writing systems in South and South-West Asia. It appeared probably in VIII or VII B.C. Its origin isn't precisely known. Most likely it developed from  Aramaic alphabet 10840–1085F . The oldest discovered monuments include Edicts of Ashoka (III century B.C.) and Sohgaura copper plate.

However, in the Middle Ages Brahmi script was totally forgotten.