1. Need for Record-Keeping: Mesopotamian civilization, particularly the Sumerians, developed complex societies with sophisticated trade, agriculture, and governance. They needed a way to track:
* Economic Transactions: Recording bartering, loans, and property ownership.
* Administrative Records: Managing taxes, labor, and resources.
* Legal Documents: Contracts, wills, and legal decisions.
* Religious Texts: Prayers, hymns, and myths.
2. Lack of Suitable Materials: Mesopotamia was a flat, arid land with limited access to materials like papyrus (used in ancient Egypt). Clay, however, was abundant.
3. Durability of Clay: Clay tablets, once baked in a kiln, became incredibly durable and could withstand the harsh Mesopotamian environment. They could be reused and stored for centuries.
4. Practicality of the System: Cuneiform used a system of wedge-shaped marks impressed into wet clay. It was:
* Simple: The basic system involved pressing a stylus into the clay, forming different wedge shapes.
* Adaptable: It could be used to represent syllables, words, and even numbers, allowing for a flexible and expressive writing system.
5. Evolution from Earlier Systems: Cuneiform likely evolved from earlier, simpler forms of writing, such as token systems used for accounting. These systems gradually became more abstract and symbolic, leading to the development of cuneiform.
In summary: Cuneiform's development was a natural response to the needs of a complex and growing civilization in Mesopotamia. The availability of clay, the practicality of the system, and the evolution from earlier forms of writing all contributed to its emergence and long-lasting impact.