Script: The Written Record of Humanity

Q: What is script and why is it important?

Script is the written expression of a language. It is important because it enabled the development of civilization.

Q: What is the oldest script in the world?

The oldest script in the world is cuneiform, invented in Sumer, Mesopotamia, c. 3600/3500 BCE and revised at the Sumerian city of Uruk c. 3200 BCE.

Q: Why was script invented?

Script was invented to allow for communication in long-distance trade.

Q: How did script spread around the ancient world?

Script spread through trade. There is no direct correlation between cuneiform script and others, but the concept of a writing system spread from the Near East to other cultures that adopted it.

Joshua J. Mark

Definition

Script is the written expression of a language. Cuneiform, the first script, was invented in Sumer, Mesopotamia, circa 3600/3500 BCE; hieroglyphics sometime prior to the Early Dynastic Period in Egypt (circa 3150-2613 BCE); and Sanskrit in India during the Vedic period (circa 1500 to circa 500 BCE). Writing was later adopted by other cultures, enabling the development of civilization.

More about: Script

Timeline

c. 3600 BCE - c. 3500 BCE
First written evidence of religion in the world recorded on Sumerian tablets.
c. 3200 BCE
Hieroglyphic script developed in Egypt.
c. 2150 BCE - c. 1400 BCE
The tales of Gilgamesh written which inform the Epic of Gilgamesh.
c. 2000 BCE - c. 1650 BCE
Cretan Hieroglyphic script is in use.
c. 1850 BCE - c. 1450 BCE
The Linear A script of the Minoan civilization is in use.
c. 1600 BCE
Canaanite alphabet.
c. 1400 BCE
Ugaritic alphabet of 30 letters is invented.
1100 BCE
Phoenician alphabet.
c. 1000 BCE
Death of Ahiram (or Ahirom) of Byblos, whose sarcophagus bears the oldest inscription of the Phoenician alphabet.
c. 647 BCE - c. 629 BCE
Extensive collection of clay tablets acquired known as Ashurbanipal's Library at Nineveh.
c. 350 CE - c. 950 CE
Estimated use of the Ogham in Ireland and southwestern England.