Language
Country/Area
No result found
Ancient Egypt and Sumer: How did two great civilizations compete for the invention of writing?
In the long river of history, the origin and development of writing carry the evolution of civilization. The early writing system not only recorded various social activities, but also reflected human thinking and culture at that time. Especially in ancient Egypt and Sumer, the two great civilizations both played an important role in the invention of writing, and there was fierce competition and exchange. Such competition not only affected their respective social structures, but also changed the way words were spread and used.
True writing consists in the content of linguistic expressions that can be accurately reconstructed by future generations, and this is a much later development.
The origin of writing
The origins of writing can be traced back to ancient Sumer between 3400 and 3100 BC, when the Sumerians created cuneiform writing, while ancient Egypt developed hieroglyphics around 3250 BC. These early systems all originated from "primitive writing". These systems used signifiers and mnemonic symbols, but they could not completely record human language. Many scholars once believed that writing was a single technology that spread to other areas through trade and other activities, but with new archaeological discoveries, the idea of an independent invention has gradually become accepted.
The development of original writing
Primitive writing was common in ancient societies, however most of these systems failed to develop into mature writing systems. Archaeologists have discovered that the Jiahu symbols in Henan Province, China, and the symbols of the Vinča culture are examples of primitive writing. The earliest use of these symbols can be traced back to the Neolithic Age. Although the existence of these primitive symbols provides important clues to the history of human writing, they cannot be interpreted as a complete record of human language.
In fact, early writing not only recorded agricultural transactions, but was also used in finance, religion, government, law and other fields.
The social impact of writing
The emergence of writing promoted the division of labor in society and the spread of knowledge. As political power became more centralized, the technology and application of writing became increasingly important. Whether it is Sumerian business records or ancient Egyptian religious texts, writing has become a symbol of power and culture. Through the circulation of words, social norms were strengthened and written traditions gradually formed, allowing culture to be passed down to this day.
The writing systems of Sumer and ancient Egypt
The cuneiform writing of ancient Sumer was written on a square or circular flat plate made of small clay cylinders. The way the pen was held gave the characters unique angles. Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics are famous for their unique pictorial system. These patterns not only have intuitive meaning, but also bear mysterious cultural symbols. Although modern scholars generally agree that the two writing systems were significantly different in structure and style, their mutual influence is still worth exploring.
The emergence of writing marked a turning point in human history, allowing knowledge and culture to be circulated and preserved.
The continuing evolution and influence of writing
Over time, writing systems became increasingly diverse. From early cuneiform and hieroglyphics to ancient alphabets and symbol systems, these evolutions illustrate the different functions of writing in different cultures. The invention of the Greek alphabet even directly affected the later Latin alphabet and the way most European languages were written. These cultural exchanges and competitions have profoundly affected all levels of human society.
Thinking questions
The writing systems of ancient Egypt and Sumer created important milestones in civilization, but the competition and dialogue between them make us think about how the future of writing and writing will develop in today's digital society.
