The earliest known writing systems emerged in Mesopotamia, in present-day Iraq, around 3200 BCE. The Sumerians developed a script known as cuneiform, characterized by its wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets. These writings recorded transactions and stories, influencing civilizations for thousands of years.
Other Ancient Writing Systems
Not long after, Egyptian hieroglyphs blossomed along the Nile. The Indus Valley script and the earliest Chinese characters also appeared during this era. Each served the increasingly intricate demands of administration, trade, and culture.
Did You Know?
It is believed that many early scripts served as both practical tools and ceremonial artifacts!
For a deeper dive, visit our Cuneiform, and Hieroglyphs pages.