How many symbols where there in the cuneiform writing?

It's difficult to give a precise number for the symbols in cuneiform writing because it evolved over a very long period (around 3,000 years) and different periods and languages had different symbol sets.

However, we can say:

* Early cuneiform (around 3200 BC) used around 2,000 distinct signs. These signs were complex and often represented syllables, words, or even concepts.

* Later cuneiform (around 1000 BC) simplified the system and used around 600-700 signs. This made the writing system more accessible and allowed for greater literacy.

* At its peak, cuneiform writing had around 600-700 distinct signs. However, each sign could have multiple meanings and pronunciations depending on the context.

Therefore, it's more accurate to say that cuneiform writing used hundreds of signs rather than a fixed number. The specific number would depend on the language, period, and specific script being considered.