1. Medium:
* Hieroglyphics: Primarily written on papyrus, stone monuments, and tomb walls.
* Cuneiform: Written on clay tablets using a stylus.
2. Symbols:
* Hieroglyphics: Used a combination of logographic (symbols representing words), syllabic (symbols representing syllables), and alphabetic (symbols representing individual sounds) elements. Many symbols were highly pictorial and representational.
* Cuneiform: Mostly logographic, with each symbol representing a word or a concept. Symbols were initially based on simplified pictograms but evolved into abstract wedge-shaped markings.
3. Direction of Writing:
* Hieroglyphics: Could be written in multiple directions, including horizontal, vertical, and boustrophedon (alternating lines in opposite directions).
* Cuneiform: Written in columns, often from right to left, but also from left to right in some cases.
4. Development:
* Hieroglyphics: Developed in ancient Egypt around 3000 BCE and remained in use for over 3,000 years.
* Cuneiform: Developed in ancient Mesopotamia around 3200 BCE and remained in use for over 3,000 years, but with significant variations and simplifications over time.
5. Complexity:
* Hieroglyphics: Highly complex and multifaceted, requiring extensive knowledge of a large number of symbols and their variations.
* Cuneiform: Also complex, with thousands of signs, but with a more standardized and systematic approach to writing.
6. Usage:
* Hieroglyphics: Used primarily for religious texts, inscriptions on monuments, and official documents.
* Cuneiform: Used for a broader range of purposes, including legal documents, business records, literature, and scientific texts.
In summary, while both hieroglyphics and cuneiform were sophisticated writing systems, they differed in their medium, symbol system, direction of writing, development, complexity, and usage. These differences reflected the unique cultural and historical contexts in which they emerged and flourished.