1. Record Keeping:
* Economic transactions: Cuneiform tablets were used to record details of trade, loans, and other economic activities.
* Inventory: Cuneiform kept track of goods, livestock, and other possessions.
* Administrative records: Cuneiform tablets were used to document government activities, including taxation, law enforcement, and public works.
2. Literature:
* Epic poems: Cuneiform was used to write epic poems, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, which told stories of gods, heroes, and the human condition.
* Mythology: Cuneiform was used to record religious texts, including myths, hymns, and prayers.
* Legal documents: Cuneiform was used to write codes of law, treaties, and other legal documents.
3. Scientific and Astronomical Observations:
* Mathematics: Cuneiform tablets documented mathematical concepts, including basic arithmetic, algebra, and geometry.
* Astronomy: Cuneiform tablets recorded observations of stars and planets, and were used to develop calendars and predict celestial events.
4. Personal Correspondence:
* Letters: Cuneiform tablets were used for personal correspondence, both formal and informal.
5. Educational Purposes:
* School texts: Cuneiform was used to write textbooks and exercises for teaching students how to read and write.
Cuneiform was a versatile writing system that was used for a wide range of purposes. It played a significant role in the development of ancient civilizations and cultures in Mesopotamia and the Near East.