Scientists have launched efforts to preserve Aramaic, an ancient language related to both Hebrew and Arabic, believed to have been spoken by Jesus Christ and his disciples more than 2,000 years ago.

Linguist Professor Geoffrey Khan of the University of Cambridge has launched a quest to record the language before it dies out by visiting the scattered communities where it is still used. By recording some of the remaining native Aramaic speakers he hopes to preserve the language which is one of a number threatened with extinction worldwide, the Daily Mail reported.

The 3,000-year-old language was once common throughout the entire Middle East and was used for trade, government and worship.

As a key language used in Israel from 539 BC to AD 70, experts believe it was likely to have been spoken by Jesus.