Archaeology Challenge

For those who love archaeology and ancient languages, here's a challenge. Suppose you were on an excavation campaign when you discovered a tablet and copied the characters you've never seen before and put up the enclosed image here.

Please understand that I've been dead for 5,000 years, so I can't help you with any details.

Good luck!

I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days.

I know, I know, that is a bad start.

(sigh...) hangs head low (snicker)

No, but nice try.

Well, I must admit I plagiarized.
The Book of Mormon; an account written by the hand of Mormon upon plates taken from the plates of Nephi

Can't read it, not going to try...

I'm still waiting for someone to crack it... I don't suppose we have any students of archaeology/ancient languages on tablets?

Most successfully decoded languages lend thanks to words that are common in that language with a known language, such as names of famous rulers (Alexander the great).

It isn't possible to decode this back into what language it's based on without some form of context or linkage to an existing writing system. The best that can be done is to determine that, if this script is supposed to represent English, is that some of the more commonly occuring symbols are likely to be t, r, or the vowels.

It's in fact quite similar to how one would play hangman.

So is it my turn now?
Making up scripts is a bit of a hobby of mine.


I'll be nice enough to give you two clues.
1. It is vertically written English read top to bottom, right to left.
2. The first word and the last word both have the letters: I, S, and T.