Early Stages:
* Pictograms (c. 3500-3000 BCE): It started as a system of pictographs, where simple images represented objects or concepts. These were scratched onto clay tablets with a stylus, leaving wedge-shaped impressions (hence "cuneiform" from the Latin for "wedge-shaped").
* Simplification & Abstraction (c. 3000-2800 BCE): Over time, the pictograms became more abstract and simplified. This made them easier to write, but also introduced ambiguity, as one symbol could represent multiple related ideas.
* Logographic Stage (c. 2800-2500 BCE): The system transitioned to a logographic stage, where each symbol represented a word or syllable. This allowed for more complex expressions, but required memorizing a large number of symbols.
Development of Syllabic Elements:
* Syllabic Elements (c. 2500 BCE): Cuneiform began to incorporate syllabic elements, with individual signs representing syllables. This greatly reduced the number of symbols needed to be memorized, making writing more accessible.
* Phonetic Writing (c. 2000 BCE): By this time, cuneiform was largely a phonetic system, with symbols representing syllables. This allowed for greater flexibility and expressiveness.
Changes and Adaptations:
* Different Languages: Cuneiform was adopted by other cultures, including Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians. This led to variations in the system, with the number and meaning of symbols adapting to different languages.
* Continued Use: Cuneiform remained in use for over 2,000 years, even after the Sumerian language itself died out. It was used for writing Akkadian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Elamite, and other languages.
Decline and Legacy:
* Decline (c. 100 BCE): Cuneiform eventually declined in use, replaced by other writing systems like the Greek alphabet.
* Legacy: Cuneiform represents a remarkable early achievement in human communication. It provided a powerful tool for record-keeping, literature, and legal documentation for centuries. Its study continues to offer valuable insights into ancient Mesopotamia.
In essence, the Sumerian writing system, cuneiform, evolved from simple pictograms to a complex syllabic and phonetic system, demonstrating the human capacity for abstract thought and the power of written language.