What is the first written language?

There's no single answer to "the first written language." It's more accurate to say that writing developed independently in different parts of the world at roughly the same time.

Here are some of the earliest known writing systems:

* Sumerian cuneiform (Mesopotamia): Dates back to around 3200 BCE. This system used wedge-shaped marks pressed into clay tablets.

* Egyptian hieroglyphs: Developed around 3200 BCE. This pictorial system used symbols that represented sounds, words, or ideas.

* Indus Valley script: Found on seals and other artifacts from around 3000 BCE. This script is not yet deciphered, making its full nature a mystery.

* Chinese writing: A pictographic system that evolved from a proto-writing system around 1200 BCE.

It's important to note that:

* The exact chronology of early writing systems is still being debated. New discoveries are constantly being made.

* These systems didn't all develop at the same time. Some may have developed independently, while others may have been influenced by existing systems.

While it's hard to definitively say which writing system was "first," these early systems represent the beginning of written communication and have had a profound impact on the development of human civilization.