Why was cuneiform preferred over picture writing?

Cuneiform wasn't preferred over picture writing because it wasn't a replacement for it. They were used for different purposes and at different times in history.

Here's a breakdown:

* Picture writing (pictograms) was the earliest form of writing used in Mesopotamia. It was simple, using pictures to represent objects and ideas. However, it was limited in its ability to express complex concepts.

* Cuneiform developed from pictograms as a more sophisticated and versatile writing system. It used wedge-shaped marks pressed into clay tablets, representing sounds and syllables. This allowed for a much greater range of expression, including abstract concepts and grammatical structures.

Here's why cuneiform was more successful:

* Efficiency: Cuneiform was faster and more efficient than drawing pictures for every word.

* Flexibility: It could represent sounds, syllables, and even grammatical concepts.

* Adaptability: It could be used for a wide range of purposes, from recording transactions to writing literature.

Think of it this way:

* Picture writing is like using emojis - great for basic communication, but limited in scope.

* Cuneiform is like using an alphabet - more complex and allows for more nuanced expression.

So, cuneiform wasn't preferred over picture writing, it evolved from it. Picture writing paved the way for more advanced writing systems like cuneiform, which ultimately became the dominant writing system in Mesopotamia.