10. What was the role of writing in Ancient Sumer?

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Ancient Sumer developed one of the earliest systems of writing. Ancient Sumer began writing with pictures, but people wrote to fast and these pictures then turned to symbols. They then developed a form of writing called cuneiform. Cuneiform was distinguished by a series of wedge markings on a clay tablet with a wedge shaped stick called a stylus. Writing was used to communicate various ideas and messages easily. Writing was primarily used for an organized way to keep and store records of trade, daily events, taxes, etc. Later on Sumerians produced literature and great stories stories from their writing system.

Sources:

http://www.mesopotamia.co.uk/writing/home_set.html

Origins Manuel, pg. 96

http://www.ancient.eu/cuneiform/

By: Cross Kennedy