Mesopotamian Cuneiform Writing: The World's Oldest Clay Slate Remains
Cuneiform writing is the oldest known writing system in human history.
The name Cuneiform comes from the Latin cuneu... See more
Mesopotamian Cuneiform Writing: The World's Oldest Clay Slate Remains
Cuneiform writing is the oldest known writing system in human history.
The name Cuneiform comes from the Latin cuneus which means wedge.
Clay Slate as a Writing Media
In contrast to Egypt which used papyrus, Mesopotamian people used clay as the main medium.
The manufacturing process begins by forming the clay into thin plates.
Contents of Records on Cuneiform Slates
The content of cuneiform slate is very diverse.
Records of trade transactions.
Law.
Personal letter.
Literature and science.
State Administration.
The Evolution and Complexity of Writing
In the early stages, cuneiform took the form of pictographs, namely simple pictures that represented objects.
In its heyday there were around 600 to 1000 different signs.
Copyright Status
The remains of the cuneiform slate are entirely in the public domain.
Anyone can photograph, scan, translate and publish slate without requiring permission.
Storage and Digitization
The largest collections of cuneiform slate are currently housed in the British Museum London, the Louvre Paris, the Pergamon Museum Berlin, and the Iraq Museum Baghdad.
To expand access, many institutions are digitizing.
Conclusion
Cuneiform writing on clay tablets is an important milestone in the history of human civilization.
Due to its great age, this relic is free from copyright and is the common property of mankind.
Mesopotamian Cuneiform Writing: The World's Oldest Clay Slate Remains
Cuneiform writing is the oldest known writing system in human history.
The name Cuneiform comes from the Latin cuneu... See more
Cuneiform writing is the oldest known writing system in human history.
The name Cuneiform comes from the Latin cuneu... See more
