Here's why:
* Cuneiform was the first known writing system, developed by the Sumerians in Mesopotamia around 3500 BCE. It used wedge-shaped marks pressed into clay tablets.
* Hieroglyphics were developed in ancient Egypt around 3200 BCE. This system used pictorial symbols to represent sounds, words, and concepts.
Both cuneiform and hieroglyphics were major breakthroughs in human communication, allowing for:
* Recording information: History, laws, stories, and other important knowledge could be preserved for future generations.
* Improved communication: Messages could be sent over long distances and to a wider audience.
* Development of complex societies: Writing was essential for administration, trade, and the development of literature and art.
So, while cuneiform and hieroglyphics were specific writing systems, they represent the broader achievement of the development of writing, which had a profound impact on the course of human history.