* Earliest Written Records: The oldest known Aramaic inscriptions date back to the 9th century BC. These were found in the Levant region, specifically in the kingdom of Aram.
* Origins: While written records start in the 9th century BC, the language likely existed in spoken form before that, perhaps as early as the 11th century BC.
* Evolution: Aramaic has evolved over centuries, developing into various dialects and eventually splitting into different branches. Some of these branches, like Syriac, are still spoken today.
Therefore, depending on what aspect you're interested in, you could say that Aramaic is:
* Over 3,000 years old if you consider its earliest written records.
* Possibly over 3,100 years old if you consider its likely spoken origins.
It's important to note that the language has been continuously evolving, so what we consider "Aramaic" today is not exactly the same as the language spoken in ancient times. Still, its long history and influence on other languages make it a fascinating subject of study.