Cuneiform was NOT a simple writing system:
* Complex Symbols: Cuneiform used hundreds of different signs, each representing a syllable, word, or concept. This is more complex than simple alphabets.
* Logographic & Syllabic: Cuneiform relied on both logograms (symbols representing words) and syllabic signs (representing syllables). This required learners to know multiple ways to represent a single sound.
* Grammatical Complexity: Sumerian grammar was complex, and cuneiform had to represent these complexities through word order, prefixes, and suffixes.
But, many Sumerians COULD write:
* Widespread Literacy: Unlike many ancient civilizations, literacy was surprisingly widespread in Sumer. While not everyone was a scribe, records show that farmers, merchants, and even women could write basic documents.
* Scribal Schools: Scribal schools existed where individuals were trained in cuneiform writing, reading, and the language.
* Practical Needs: The need for record-keeping in a complex society like Sumerian civilization drove the need for literacy.
In Conclusion:
Cuneiform was complex, but it was also a practical writing system that was mastered by a significant portion of the Sumerian population. While we might not consider it "easy" by modern standards, it was accessible enough for everyday use in a way that many other ancient writing systems were not.