Here's a breakdown of its appearance:
Characteristics:
* Wedge-shaped: The marks are made by pressing a stylus into clay tablets, creating wedge-shaped impressions.
* Combinations of marks: Different combinations of these wedges form various syllables, words, and even entire sentences.
* Right-to-left: Cuneiform is written in lines that run from right to left.
* Varied size and arrangement: The size and arrangement of the wedges vary depending on the specific character, making it challenging for beginners to decipher.
How it looks:
Imagine a series of tiny, triangular wedges, some larger than others, clustered together to form symbols. These symbols can look quite abstract and complicated at first glance, but with practice, you can start to recognize the different patterns.
To visualize it better:
* Think of a child's drawing of a house: It might have a few squares and triangles to represent the walls and roof, but it's not a realistic depiction. Similarly, cuneiform characters can be seen as simple geometric shapes forming abstract symbols.
* Look at images online: There are many resources online that show examples of cuneiform script, including tablets with actual inscriptions.
Overall, cuneiform script appears like a series of complex, wedge-shaped marks that form abstract symbols. It's a testament to the ingenuity of ancient civilizations and a fascinating window into the history of writing.