Cuneiform

The video explores the significance of written language, highlighting its essential role in communication and record-keeping. It credits the Sumerians for inventing cuneiform, the first known writing system, around 3,500 BCE. Initially used for record-keeping, cuneiform evolved from pictographs to phonograms. The video also discusses the adoption of cuneiform by other Mesopotamian cultures and the use of cylinder seals for document authentication. The Sumerians' writing system provided a historical snapshot, enabling modern understanding of ancient civilizations.

What are some vital functions of written language in civilization?

How did the Sumerians contribute to the development of writing?

Describe the process the Sumerians used to write cuneiform.

What were cylinder seals and how were they used in Sumerian writing?

In what ways did the Sumerians' writing system impact modern civilization?