This work discusses problems of the origin of the Old Georgian (Iberian) system of writing and determination of its sources. The Old Georgian system of writing is analyzed against the broad typological background of various systems of alphabetic script, with reference to Old Semitic (Phoenician) and Greek systems of writing, as well as to other scripts stemming from the latter two.

Greek writing, which originated from the Old Semitic "consonant-syllabic" script, is considered to be the oldest system of consistently alphabetic script, this being a fundamental innovation and achievement in the phylogeny of writing.

A comparative analysis of the Old Semitic, ancient Greek, and Old Georgian systems of script reveals the dependence of the Old Georgian system on the Greek rather than on the Old Semitic system to which Old Georgian script has ordinarily been linked.

A comparison of Old Georgian writing with alphabetic writing systems stemming from the Greek prototype, such as Coptic, Gothic, Old Armenian, and Old Slavonic, brings to light inner structural characteristics of the Old Georgian alphabet and defines its typological place among these systems of the early Christian period, created as original national scripts of the Eastern Christian Cultural World.

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