Determining the first written language on Earth is a tricky task, as the earliest forms of writing developed independently in different parts of the world. However, the current consensus points to Sumerian cuneiform as one of the earliest known writing systems, appearing around 3200 BCE in Mesopotamia.
Sumerian cuneiform was a complex system using wedge-shaped marks pressed into clay tablets. It evolved from earlier pictographic systems and eventually became a fully developed writing system capable of representing sounds, words, and abstract concepts.
Other early writing systems that emerged around the same time include:
- Egyptian hieroglyphs: Developed around 3200 BCE, these picture-based symbols were used for religious texts, official documents, and decorative purposes.
- Indus script: Found on seals and other artifacts from the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300–1300 BCE), this writing system remains undeciphered, making it difficult to determine its exact nature and purpose.
While these systems emerged around the same time, it's important to remember that the development of writing was a gradual process, and it's likely that other early forms of writing existed but have not yet been discovered or deciphered.
