Cuneiform - Wikipedia Cuneiform is the earliest known writing system [5][6] and was originally developed to write the Sumerian language of southern Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) Over the course of its history, cuneiform was adapted to write a number of languages in addition to Sumerian
Cuneiform | Definition, History, Facts | Britannica Cuneiform, system of writing used in the ancient Middle East The name, a coinage from Latin and Middle French roots meaning ‘wedge-shaped,’ has been the modern designation from the early 18th century onward Learn more about cuneiform’s development and influence
Cuneiform - World History Encyclopedia Cuneiform is a system of writing first developed by the ancient Sumerians of Mesopotamia c 3500 BCE It is considered the most significant among the many cultural contributions of the Sumerians and the greatest among those of the Sumerian city of Uruk, which advanced the writing of cuneiform c 3200 BCE and allowed for the creation of literature
How to write cuneiform - British Museum Cuneiform is not a language but a proper way of writing distinct from the alphabet It doesn't have 'letters' – instead it uses between 600 and 1,000 characters impressed on clay to spell words by dividing them up into syllables, like 'ca-at' for cat, or 'mu-zi-um' for museum
Cuneiform Writing: History, Meaning, Symbols, and Facts Cuneiform was a writing system invented by the ancient Sumer people of the Mesopotamian region (ancient Middle East) According to historians, this form of writing emerged about 5,000 years ago, making it the world’s first-known written language
Cuneiform: The World’s Oldest Writing System - History Defined Cuneiform, the world’s first writing system, is a fascinating window into the lives of our ancestors Developed over 5,000 years ago in Mesopotamia, cuneiform was used to record everything – including everyday transactions, personal letters, and epic poems, like the Epic of Gilgamesh
Smarthistory – Cuneiform, an introduction Cuneiform is one of the oldest forms of writing known It means “wedge-shaped,” because people wrote it using a reed stylus cut to make a wedge-shaped mark on a clay tablet Letters enclosed in clay envelopes, as well as works of literature, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh have been found
What the Heck is Cuneiform, Anyway? - Smithsonian Magazine Cuneiform means "wedge-shaped," a term the Greeks used to describe the look of the signs It was used to write at least a dozen languages, just as the alphabet that you are reading now is also
The Evolution of Cuneiform: From Pictographs to Phonetics Cuneiform writing, one of the earliest systems of writing, emerged in ancient Mesopotamia around 3200 BCE This remarkable script played a crucial role in the administration, trade, and culture of the region, serving as a primary means of communication for millennia
What Is Cuneiform? (with pictures) - Historical Index Most linguists, historians, and archaeologists confer that cuneiform, which appeared about 5,000 years ago is the first real written language Cuneiform was developed by the Sumerians in southern Mesopotamia, the land that presently lies within the borders of Iraq