MESOPOTAMIA
The Mesopotamian population split into two distinct groups: those who spoke Sumerian, and Semitic dialects. The first script was discovered to be based on pictures. In 3000 B.C., people used pictograms as a way of communication. This way of communication soon lost their meaning and around 2500 B.C. Cuneiform was developed. This was written by a triangular-shaped stylus. Cuneiform is a wedge shaped writing that is considered to be the most significant among cultural contributions. Cuneiform was first written in the Sumerian language. This retained an importance of administration, religion, and high culture. This form of writing widespread across Mesopotamia. |
EGYPT
Writing came to Egypt through trade with Mesopotamia and encouraged Egyptians to create their form of writing. Ancient Egyptian writing is called hieroglyphics which translates to “sacred carving” or “god’s writing.” Egyptians believed that writing was a spiritual practice and was given to them by Thoth, the god of writing, creativity, and knowledge. Egyptians believed that Thoth encouraged them to pursue new forms of communication which involved written and spoken language. Hieroglyphics were mainly used to will things to happen. Egyptians believed that writing was so powerful, that if you put something into writing, it could come true by the grace of Thoth. Examples of this include drawings on tombs that described what family members wanted their love ones to have in the afterlife. Writing evolved into symbols relating to simple tasks and prices/bargain deals for trade. Then Egyptians created their own set of alphabets and their script continued to advance. |
CHINA
The Chinese started in the Neolithic period, they used symbols and pictures called pictograms. The earliest known writing was during the Shang Dynasty, they used the oracle bone for religious scripts. They communicate to their god by the used of the oracle bones asking questions, such as if their ruler will win the battle. They heated the oracle bones until it will make a crack, then the officials will make divination of future events in China. Eventually their writings developed and record their religious practices and economy. |
INDUS RIVER
Indus merchants used seals which were carved stones to mark their goods. Many of the seals show images of animals and a form of writing. The sad thing is that script/language has not been translated yet, but here are many symbols found and recovered from the sites of Indus Valley cities on seals, small tablets, or ceramic pots, and on many other materials. |