Materials:
* Clay: The primary writing material was wet clay tablets.
* Reeds: Reeds were used as styluses, the writing tools. These reeds were sharpened into wedges and then used to press marks into the clay.
Tools:
* Stylus: The basic tool for making cuneiform impressions.
* Wedge-shaped tools: Specialized tools were likely used for specific characters, such as rounded wedges for circles or angled ones for sharper shapes.
* Other tools: It's possible that tools like rulers, calipers, or even templates were used to create consistent and accurate characters.
Processes:
* Impressing: The stylus wasn't used to draw on the clay like a pen on paper, but rather to press wedge-shaped marks into it. These marks formed the basic building blocks of the cuneiform script.
* Drying: Once the writing was complete, the clay tablets were left to air-dry or were baked in ovens to harden.
It's important to note that:
* While the materials and tools were crucial, the development of the cuneiform script was a complex process of refining the writing system, developing a standardized alphabet, and adapting to new concepts and languages.
* The tools used for cuneiform writing likely evolved over time, with new tools being developed to meet the changing demands of the script and the need for greater accuracy and efficiency.
In summary, cuneiform writing was a product of its time, relying on readily available materials like clay and reeds. The development of specialized tools helped to refine the script, making it a versatile tool for communication and record-keeping in the ancient world.