1. Simplification of Signs:
* Early cuneiform: Used thousands of signs, often representing entire words or concepts. This made learning and writing very difficult.
* Later cuneiform: Over time, signs became simplified and standardized. Many signs were repurposed to represent syllables, reducing the number of signs required. This made it easier to learn and write, as well as making the script more adaptable to different languages.
* Akkadian Period (c. 2300 BCE): The development of a syllabic system with phonetic values, where individual sounds were represented, significantly simplified the writing system. This made it much easier to write and read, allowing for faster writing and communication.
2. Development of Scribal Tools:
* Stylus: The tool used for writing on clay tablets was refined. Early styluses were simple pieces of wood, but later ones had different shapes and sizes, allowing for greater precision and speed in writing.
* Clay tablets: The size and shape of tablets evolved, becoming more standardized and easier to handle. Smaller tablets were used for everyday writing, while larger ones were used for important documents.
3. Standardization and Education:
* Scribal Schools: The emergence of specialized schools dedicated to teaching writing and administration contributed to the standardization of the script and made it more accessible. This ensured a consistent system and made it easier to learn.
* Scribal Manuals: The development of standardized manuals and writing exercises helped students learn and practice the simplified cuneiform script more effectively.
4. Adaptation to New Languages:
* Multilingualism: Cuneiform was adapted to write various languages, including Sumerian, Akkadian, Eblaite, and Hittite. This led to the development of new signs and adaptations of existing signs for different sounds.
Despite these developments, cuneiform remained a complex system, and mastering it still required extensive training and practice. However, the changes made it significantly more accessible and efficient than its earlier form.