* Cuneiform evolved: It wasn't a static writing system. Over its 3000-year history, the number of symbols changed significantly.
* Different languages: Cuneiform was used to write various languages, including Akkadian, Sumerian, Elamite, and Hittite. Each language had its own variations in symbols and their usage.
* "Symbol" is flexible: Do we count individual signs, or do we count variations of a sign based on context? This affects the total number.
However, here's a general idea:
* Early Sumerian cuneiform: Around 2000 symbols were used, many of which represented individual words or syllables.
* Later cuneiform: The number of symbols was reduced and standardized as the system developed. For example, Akkadian cuneiform used around 600 symbols, mainly representing syllables and parts of words.
In short, it's more accurate to say that cuneiform used a vast repertoire of symbols, with the exact number varying depending on the language and historical period.