Cuneiform
by Lauren Blumenfeld
Around 3500 BCE, the Sumerians developed the first known human case of writing, cuneiform. At first, cuneiform consisted of symbols that were pictorial. This became difficult, with the complexity of it growing. Soon, geometric shapes were used to represent phonetic sounds. The early alphabet had as many as 2000 symbols, which was then decreased to about 300.
Multiple wedge shapes were arranged to create cuneiform characters. The cuneiform symbols and signs could represent a word, idea, or number. Originally, these shapes were written vertically, but soon they were changed to be written left-to-right in horizontal rows. When this change was made, the symbols were rotated 90 degrees.
The Sumerian language had many monosyllabic words. There was a great deal of homophony (a lot of words sound alike). Words that sounded the same usually had the same symbol. To create new symbols, geometric designs were added or two symbols were put together. Growing in complexity, it was hard to decipher if the symbols were just a logogram (single sound) or a syllabogram (complex sound). To clear the uncertainty, "determinatvies" were added. These preceded or followed a group of the signs and symbols and told what general category the objects or ideas belong to.
The major literary works of Mesopotamia, such as Epic Of Gilgamesh, was originally written in cuneiform.Cuneiform was written on clay tablets, using styluses which resemble modern ballpoint pens. These styluses were usually reed cut from the Tigris or Euphrates River. When it is pressed down onto the soft, clay tablet, is makes a wedge-like shape. Those who decided to become literate and write spent an abundance of time learning the complicated skills.
The numbering system used by the Sumerians was based on 10 and 60. Eight was written by eight of symbols that mean "1". Ten was written by a symbol and so was 60. The way to write eighty would to put the symbol for 60 and add two symbols for 10 after that.
The Sumerian language died out around the 18th century BCE, but cuneiform was still learned. The Sumerians writing system of cuneiform was took up and altered by other Mesopotamians such as the Assyrians and Babylonians.
Multiple wedge shapes were arranged to create cuneiform characters. The cuneiform symbols and signs could represent a word, idea, or number. Originally, these shapes were written vertically, but soon they were changed to be written left-to-right in horizontal rows. When this change was made, the symbols were rotated 90 degrees.
The Sumerian language had many monosyllabic words. There was a great deal of homophony (a lot of words sound alike). Words that sounded the same usually had the same symbol. To create new symbols, geometric designs were added or two symbols were put together. Growing in complexity, it was hard to decipher if the symbols were just a logogram (single sound) or a syllabogram (complex sound). To clear the uncertainty, "determinatvies" were added. These preceded or followed a group of the signs and symbols and told what general category the objects or ideas belong to.
The major literary works of Mesopotamia, such as Epic Of Gilgamesh, was originally written in cuneiform.Cuneiform was written on clay tablets, using styluses which resemble modern ballpoint pens. These styluses were usually reed cut from the Tigris or Euphrates River. When it is pressed down onto the soft, clay tablet, is makes a wedge-like shape. Those who decided to become literate and write spent an abundance of time learning the complicated skills.
The numbering system used by the Sumerians was based on 10 and 60. Eight was written by eight of symbols that mean "1". Ten was written by a symbol and so was 60. The way to write eighty would to put the symbol for 60 and add two symbols for 10 after that.
The Sumerian language died out around the 18th century BCE, but cuneiform was still learned. The Sumerians writing system of cuneiform was took up and altered by other Mesopotamians such as the Assyrians and Babylonians.
Sources
http://www.ancient.eu.com/cuneiform/
http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/cuneiform.html
http://www.ancientscripts.com/sumerian.html
Stearns, Peter. World Civilizations. 3rd ed. New York: Addison-Wesley Educational , 2003. 16. Print.
http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/cuneiform.html
http://www.ancientscripts.com/sumerian.html
Stearns, Peter. World Civilizations. 3rd ed. New York: Addison-Wesley Educational , 2003. 16. Print.