Evolution of Writing

As you recall… When Mesopotamians started settling down onto farms surrounding the first cities, life became a bit more complicated. Agriculture required expertise and detailed recordkeeping, two elements that led directly to the invention of writing. Heather Whipps How Writing Changed the World

Pictographs An early form of written language that conveys meaning through representing something in the physical world - essentially, a picture! Image = single word Originally, there were over 1,500 symbols!!

Cuneiform 1 st Writing System Wedge-shaped markings Used stylus & clay tablet Reduced symbols to 600!!

Cuneiform (2:10)

The Phoenicians Phoenicia was a city-state on the Mediterranean Sea They used the sea to trade many goods. Became the first trading empire from B.C. Phoenicia would later become the city-state of Carthage!

Special snails would wash on shore and be collected. They produced a rich purple dye that wealthy people loved to buy. Valuable Merchandise

Because they had so much trade, the Phoenicians needed to simplify writing (cuneiform was too hard!). The Phoenicians found a better way to write to keep up with all the trade & business dealings!

Phoenician Alphabet 22 symbols Simplified characters that represent sound. One for each consonant. Became the first alphabet! Easier to learn so ALL people could learn to write!

Phoenician Video (3:46)

How did the transition from pictographs to an alphabet impact the lives of Mesopotamians? The U.S.?

The Phoenicians developed a more simplified writing system. This became the basis for our alphabet today!