Writing

Definition

Writing is the physical manifestation of a spoken language. It is thought that human beings developed language c. 35,000 BCE as evidenced by cave paintings from the period of the Cro-Magnon Man (c. 50,000-30,000 BCE) which appear to express concepts concerning daily life. These images suggest a language because, in some instances, they seem to tell a story (say, of a hunting expedition in which specific events occurred) rather than being simply pictures of animals and people.

More about: Writing

Timeline

c. 3200 BCE
First instance of written language in Sumerian.
c. 2500 BCE
Beginning of literature in Sumerian.
2285 BCE - 2250 BCE
Life of Enheduanna, daughter of Sargon of Akkad, and world's first author known by name.
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. 1900 BCE - c. 1600 BCE
Composition of The Descent of Inanna.
c. 1850 BCE - c. 1450 BCE
The Linear A script of the Minoan civilization is in use.
c. 1640 BCE - c. 1700 BCE
Written form of the Atrahasis Myth of the Great Flood.
1600 BCE - 1046 BCE
Writing develops in China during the Shang Dynasty.
c. 1600 BCE - 1000 BCE
Jiaguwen Script develops in China.
c. 1600 BCE
Canaanite alphabet.
c. 1500 BCE - c. 500 BCE
The Vedic Period in India after a greater migration of the Indo-Aryans from Central Asia
c. 1500 BCE - 1100 BCE
The Rig Veda written, mentioning the god Rudra (Shiva) and goddess Tara (among others) for the first time.
c. 1500 BCE - c. 1200 BCE
The Linear B script of the Mycenaean civilization is in use.
c. 1400 BCE
Ugaritic alphabet of 30 letters is invented.
1100 BCE
Phoenician alphabet.
c. 1000 BCE - 700 BCE
Dazhuan Script develops in China.
c. 1000 BCE
Death of Ahiram (or Ahirom) of Byblos, whose sarcophagus bears the oldest inscription of the Phoenician alphabet.
800 BCE
Earliest examples of Greek alphabetic script.
c. 700 BCE
Xiaozhuan Script develops in China.
c. 647 BCE - c. 629 BCE
Extensive collection of clay tablets acquired known as Ashurbanipal's Library at Nineveh.
c. 500 BCE
Lishu "Clerky Script" develops in China.
196 BCE
The Rosetta Stone was made, a stela carrying a priestly decree from the reign of Ptolemy V in three languages: Egyptian hieroglyphs, demotic and Greek script.
23 CE - Aug 79 CE
Life of Pliny the Elder.
c. 350 CE - c. 950 CE
Estimated use of the Ogham in Ireland and southwestern England.
626 CE - 649 CE
Woodblock printing process develops under reign of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty.
1234 CE
Movable metal type printing is invented in Goryeo, Korea.