The Bridge of Civilization's Development: The Birth of Writing

Throughout history, human societies have felt the need to preserve, share, and pass on the experiences, knowledge, and ideas they have accumulated to future generations. Initially, people turned to oral traditions, myths, legends, and stories for this purpose. However, as time passed and the complexity of human activities increased, writing emerged as a revolutionary invention that changed the course of history. For this reason, writing is considered one of the most significant milestones in the development of humanity. It is not only a technical tool that enables the exchange of information but also a fundamental instrument in the formation of civilizations and the systematization of culture. Through writing, societies have established legal systems, solidified religious beliefs, formalized economic relations, and recorded historical events. Each written example is not only a carrier of technical information but also a cultural trace that reflects how people of that era perceived the world, what they believed in, and which values they prioritized.

The oldest forms of writing are particularly significant in this context. They not only reveal the technical and structural characteristics of writing but also allow for the analysis of the intellectual level, social organization, and thought systems of ancient civilizations.

One of the oldest and most systematic forms of writing is cuneiform, which originated with the Sumerians (the term "cuneiform" comes from the Akkadian word "kūnu," meaning "wedge-shaped"). This writing system emerged around 3400 BC in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), the cradle of ancient civilization, located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. At first glance, this system, composed of simple signs, eventually evolved into a complex and flexible form of writing that was used by various civilizations for thousands of years, starting with the Sumerians.

Cuneiform writing was initially pictographic, meaning it used pictures to represent ideas or objects. For example, a picture of an ear of wheat was used to represent a grain store, or a horned animal was drawn to symbolize cattle. However, as society developed and economic and administrative systems became more complex, there was a greater need for information. This necessitated the development of phonetic elements in writing. Gradually, the signs began to represent not only objects but also the sounds of their names. As a result, cuneiform evolved into a logophonetic system, combining both pictorial and phonetic elements.

This writing was inscribed on clay tablets using a stylus made from reeds. The stylus had a triangular tip, and by pressing it in various directions on the clay, it left wedge-shaped impressions, hence the name "cuneiform." One of the most remarkable aspects of this writing system is that when the tablets were fired in a kiln, they could survive for millennia. Archaeologists have discovered thousands of such tablets during excavations in Mesopotamia, some of which have been deciphered, allowing us to learn about the legal systems, economic activities, and daily life of the ancient world.Initially, cuneiform was used for economic purposes such as recording wages, taxes, commodity inventories, and movements of goods. However, its potential soon expanded. The Sumerians began to useit for legal documents, religious hymns, astrological observations, literary works, and even school education. The "Epic of Gilgamesh," considered the world's first written literature, was also inscribed in cuneiform on clay tablets. This text is not only an epic hero story but also reflects philosophical thoughts on the human relationship with death.

Moreover, the influence of cuneiform writing was not limited to the Sumerians. It spread to other great Mesopotamian empires, such as Akkad, Babylon, and Assyria, which created numerous administrative and religious texts in their own languages but using the same writing system. Even in later periods, although cuneiform lost its political power, it continued to be used for diplomatic correspondence and scientific instruction for a long time.

For example, in the early 20th century, archaeologists discovered clay tablets from a school in southern Iraq. The tablets showed young students practicing cuneiform symbols, with one of them complaining to the teacher: "He beat me with a whip because I didn’t write correctly." This proves that learning to write was a difficult and serious process even in ancient times.

Thus, cuneiform writing is not just a means of communication but also a valuable heritage that carries the legal, social, and cultural memory of ancient Mesopotamian civilizations to the present day. This writing system is one of the key keys to understanding how writing evolved as a carrier of information in human history.

Among the ancient writing forms, Egyptian hieroglyphs stand out as a unique example. Used from around 3100 BC, this writing system was mainly applied on temple walls, tombs, and papyri. Hieroglyphs are a complex writing system that combines symbolic and phonetic meanings. They appear in thousands of sources that reflect the religious worldview, myths, and daily life of the ancient Egyptians. Hieroglyphic writing was also of great importance as a form of decorative art, and today it remains one of the most recognizable cultural symbols of ancient Egyptian civilization.

Another noteworthy ancient writing form is the "Proto-Indian script" used in the Indus Valley civilization. This script dates back to around 2600-1900 BC. Archaeological discoveries of seals and small tablets with inscriptions suggest that this civilization had an advanced communication system. However, unfortunately, the Indus script has not yet been fully deciphered, and its exact structure and language remain a subject of debate.

Yet another fascinating ancient writing form is the Chinese oracle bone script. Dating back to around 1200 BC, this writing was inscribed on animal bones and turtle shells. It was mainly used by priests to predict future events, closely tied to ancient Chinese beliefs and governance systems. The important aspect is that Chinese writing, which started with oracle bone inscriptions, later evolved into one of the few writing systems to survive to this day.

In conclusion, the invention of writing marks a crucial stage in human history. The earliest writing systems are not just technical tools; they also serve as bridges that convey the culture, beliefs, and social structures of ancient peoples to us. Through these writings, we can gain insight into the lives, thoughts, and societies of people who lived thousands of years ago. Writing is humanity's collective memory, and its earliest examples play a key role in helping us understand that memory.

Translator

Huseynova Shalala