1. The Stylus: This tool, made from reed or wood, had a wedge-shaped tip. The tip's shape determined the marks that were made on the tablet.
2. Clay Tablets: The Sumerians used soft clay tablets, often shaped rectangularly, as their writing surface.
3. Impressions: The stylus was pressed into the clay, creating wedge-shaped marks. These marks, called cuneiform signs, represented syllables, words, or even ideas.
4. Sign Combinations: The Sumerians combined these signs in different ways to create a complex system of writing. Each sign could have multiple meanings depending on its context.
5. Drying: Once the writing was complete, the clay tablets were left to dry in the sun or baked in a kiln to make them more durable.
Here's an analogy: Imagine using a small hammer with different shaped ends to create different marks on a block of Play-Doh. Each mark could represent a different sound or meaning.
Key Characteristics of Cuneiform Writing:
* Logographic: Many signs represented entire words or concepts.
* Syllabic: Some signs represented syllables, allowing for more flexibility in spelling.
* Determinative: Certain signs were added after a word to clarify its meaning or grammatical function.
Cuneiform was a powerful tool for the Sumerians, allowing them to record their history, literature, laws, and everyday activities. It influenced other ancient writing systems in the region, laying the foundation for the development of writing in the ancient world.