Origins of Cuneiform. Cuneiform, developed around 3,200 BCE in ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), is one of the earliest known systems of writing. It was created by the Sumerians, primarily for record-keeping and communication. Initially, it started as a system of pictographs—simple images that represented objects or actions—but evolved over time to include more abstract symbols and a complex system that represented sounds and ideas.
The Structure of Cuneiform
Cuneiform was written on clay tablets using a stylus to make wedge-shaped marks. Over time, the script developed into a combination of logograms (symbols representing entire words) and syllabic signs (symbols representing sounds or syllables). This made the script versatile and capable of conveying more complex ideas, allowing it to document everything from legal codes to stories, contracts, and scientific knowledge.
Importance of Cuneiform to Languages
Standardization and Communication: Cuneiform helped standardize the Sumerian language and was adopted by other cultures, such as the Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians, who modified the script for their languages. This led to the spread of written communication across a large area.
