Here's why:
* Abstraction: Cuneiform moved away from representing objects directly, instead using abstract symbols to represent sounds and syllables. This allowed for a more compact and efficient way of writing, as fewer symbols were needed to convey a larger range of ideas.
* Flexibility: Pictographs were limited to representing concrete objects. Cuneiform, by using abstract symbols, could represent abstract concepts, actions, and even grammatical elements, allowing for a much wider range of expression.
While pictographs are visually intuitive, cuneiform's abstraction allowed for a more complex and nuanced system of writing, ultimately contributing to the development of literature, law, and other forms of complex communication in ancient Mesopotamia.