Humanity began writing 5000 years ago.
The oldest form of writing is believed to be Sumerian, predating Egyptian hieroglyphs by 200 years.
Sumerian writing, dated around 3400 BC, originated in Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq. Initially cuneiform, it consisted of symbols representing words or sounds, evolving into a more complex system. It was inscribed on clay tablets and used for laws, commercial treaties, religious texts, and more. The most famous piece is the Code of Hammurabi, the oldest legal code in ancient Mesopotamia.
However, the most famous and well-known language remains Egyptian, with its hieroglyphs. Originating from Egypt around 3100 BC, its complex and multifunctional writing system was similar to Sumerian in cultural and historical significance but differed structurally and functionally. It was primarily inscribed on various supports such as stone, wooden tablets, and even tomb and temple walls, with papyrus being the most common.
Papyrus, made from strips of the papyrus plant, was used for administrative documents, letters, religious texts, and literary works. Writing on papyrus utilized reed pens, sharp and thin, dipped in ink for writing.
