Cuneiform

What is Cuneiform? Cuneiform is one of the earliest known writing systems in human history. It was developed by the Sumerians in ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) around c. 3400–3000 BCE. Name Meaning The word cuneiform comes from Latin: “cuneus” = wedge “forma” = shape So, cuneiform literally means wedge-shaped writing, because the characters were made by pressing a stylus into soft clay, creating wedge-like marks. How Cuneiform Worked Material: Mostly clay tablets. Tool: A stylus (often reed) with a triangular tip. Technique: Press the stylus into the clay to make combinations of wedge-shaped strokes (no curves). Usage: After writing, tablets were left to dry in the sun or baked to preserve them. Languages Written in Cuneiform Cuneiform was not just one language — it was a writing system used for many languages over thousands of years, including: Sumerian – the original language of cuneiform. Akkadian – the first great Semitic language (used by Assyrians & Babylonians). Hittite, Elamite, Urartian, and others. Because of this flexibility, cuneiform became the writing standard across the ancient Near East for over 3,000 years. What Kind of Things Were Written? Cuneiform tablets contain a wide variety of texts, such as: Economic records (trade, taxes, inventories) Legal codes (e.g., Code of Hammurabi) Royal inscriptions Letters and correspondence Myths, poems, and literature Famous example: The Epic of Gilgamesh Why Cuneiform Matters It represents a major shift in human history — from prehistory to history — because it enabled recorded knowledge. It influenced later writing systems and contributed to early civilization administration, law, literature, and education. Example of Cuneiform Symbols In the early stages, each symbol could represent: Objects Syllables Concepts Over time, it became more abstract and stylized, evolving from pictographs into a sophisticated writing system. Timeline Period Event c. 3400–3000 BCE Cuneiform invented in Sumer c. 2100 BCE Height of Akkadian & Babylonian use c. 2nd millennium BCE Used by Hittites & others c. 1st millennium BCE Continued use across Near East c. 1st century CE Cuneiform gradually dies out Fun Fact Cuneiform was forgotten for centuries until the 19th-century decipherment by scholars such as Henry Rawlinson. This unlocked countless ancient texts and revolutionized our understanding of early civilizations. If you want, I can show you examples of cuneiform texts (like the Epic of Gilgamesh lines) or explain how to read basic signs! CONCEPT ( development of human relations and human resources )