* Efficiency: As the language and concepts expressed in writing grew more complex, representing everything with individual pictures became cumbersome. Simplifying the symbols allowed for faster writing and easier comprehension. Imagine writing every word with a full picture!
* Stylization: Over time, scribes developed shorthand techniques for writing frequently used symbols. This led to the stylization of the pictures into more abstract shapes, representing the essence of the original object rather than a full depiction.
* Material and Tools: Cuneiform was primarily written on clay tablets using a stylus. This meant that the scribes were limited in their ability to create intricate details. The pressure of the stylus on the clay naturally smoothed out sharp edges and finer details, contributing to the simplification of the symbols.
* Evolution of Language: As languages evolve, words and concepts change. This also influenced the symbols, as some lost their original meaning and were adapted to represent new concepts, further abstracting their form.
* Development of Specialized Symbols: The emergence of phonetic symbols, representing sounds rather than objects, added another layer of abstraction to the writing system.
Think of it like this: Imagine you need to write the word "sun" repeatedly. Drawing a full picture of the sun each time would be tiring and time-consuming. Over time, you might simplify it to a circle with rays, then just a circle, and eventually a simple dot. This is similar to the process of cuneiform evolution.
The transition from pictographs to abstract symbols was a gradual process, spanning centuries. It reflects the constant adaptation and evolution of writing systems to meet the needs of the users and the changing language itself.