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What are the top 5 ancient writing systems and how do they compare?

Vonnie Muncer

When it comes to ancient writing systems, there are quite a few that come to mind depending on one's familiarity with them. However, these are the top 5 ancient writing systems that I personally believe are worth exploring further:

1) Egyptian Hieroglyphs - This is perhaps one of the most well-known ancient writing systems in the world, thanks to its prominent use in Egyptian tombs and inscriptions. Hieroglyphs were used by the Egyptians as early as 3200 BCE and continued to be used throughout the Pharaonic period (roughly 3150-30 BCE). The writing system was composed of various glyphs that represented different words, sounds, and ideas. One thing that sets Egyptian hieroglyphs apart from other ancient writing systems is that they were often written vertically, from top to bottom, as well as horizontally.

2) Cuneiform - Cuneiform was used in ancient Mesopotamia, particularly in Sumer, from around 3200 BCE until about 75 CE. It was a wedge-shaped script that was impressed into a clay tablet with a stylus. Cuneiform was used for various purposes, such as record-keeping, accounting, and literature. It's often cited as one of the earliest forms of writing and helped to establish Mesopotamia as one of the most advanced civilizations of its time.

3) Linear A and B - Linear A was used by the ancient Minoans on the island of Crete between 2500-1450 BCE. The script has yet to be fully deciphered, but it's believed to represent an early form of the Greek language. Linear B, on the other hand, was used by the Mycenaeans on the Greek mainland between 1450-1200 BCE. The script is believed to represent an early form of the Greek language as well and is unique in that it was used solely for administrative purposes.

4) Indus Script - The Indus Script was used by the ancient civilization of the Indus Valley, which existed between 3300-1300 BCE in what is now modern-day India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Similar to Linear A, the script has yet to be fully deciphered, but it's believed to represent the language spoken by the Indus Valley people. The script was used for various purposes, such as recording trade and commerce, and is notable for its large number of characters - over 400 have been identified so far!

5) Mayan Hieroglyphs - The Mayan Hieroglyphs were used by the ancient Mayan civilization (2000 BCE-1500 CE) primarily in what is now modern-day Mexico and Central America. The writing system was incredibly complex and consisted of glyphs that represented words, sounds, and ideas. Mayan Hieroglyphs were used for various purposes, such as recording historical events, astrology, and religious beliefs. Much like Egyptian hieroglyphs, Mayan hieroglyphs were often written in a vertical format.

When it comes to comparing these ancient writing systems, it's important to note that each one had its own unique features and purposes. However, one similarity that they share is that they were all primarily used for administrative purposes, such as record-keeping and commerce. Additionally, they were all incredibly sophisticated for their time and helped to establish the societies that used them as some of the most advanced civilizations of their time. Overall, studying these ancient writing systems can provide us with a deeper understanding of the cultures and societies that produced them, and it's fascinating to see how each one has contributed to the development of writing as we know it today.