What was the first known written language?

It's difficult to definitively say what was the first known written language, as different cultures developed writing systems independently. However, Sumerian cuneiform is generally considered to be one of the earliest known writing systems, appearing around 3500 BCE in Mesopotamia.

Here's why it's complicated:

* "First" is relative: Different cultures likely developed writing independently, so there might have been other systems emerging around the same time as Sumerian cuneiform, but their records might have been lost or haven't been discovered yet.

* Definition of "writing": Some scholars argue that early systems like the Egyptian hieroglyphs, which emerged around 3200 BCE, were more complex and evolved from picture-based symbols, making them closer to "true" writing.

* Evolution of writing: Writing systems often evolve over time, and it's hard to pinpoint the exact moment when a system transitioned from early forms to what we recognize as "writing" today.

While Sumerian cuneiform is a strong contender for one of the earliest known writing systems, it's important to acknowledge that there might be other systems yet to be discovered, and the history of writing is a complex and fascinating subject.