Category Archives: probably developed by illiterate(s)

Indus script — 2600 BC, Pakistan

Posted on January 11, 2011 by ducky

Like the Sumerians and the Egyptians, the Harappans inhabited a fertile river valley (this one in Pakistan) in around 3300 BC.  Like in the Middle East, the Harappans developed a sophisticated civilization.  Like in the Middle East, the Harappans put … Continue reading →

Posted in first in its area, Logograms, probably developed by illiterate(s), Rating: 2 "Not all that interesting", Undeciphered | 3 Comments

Chinese Oracle bones — ~1500BC, China

Posted on January 6, 2011 by ducky

Written Chinese is, by some measures, the most successful writing system on the planet.  It has persisted for thousands of years and is still in use today.  While it has gone through a number of distinct changes, those changes have … Continue reading →

Posted in first in its area, Logograms, probably developed by illiterate(s), Rating: 3 "I did not know that" | 2 Comments

Egyptian hieroglyphics — 3200 BC, Egypt

Posted on January 3, 2011 by ducky

Egyptian hieroglyphics were profoundly influential and in use for thousands of years.  Like Sumerian cuneiform, the early symbols were of recognizable things.  Unlike Sumerian cuneiform, the symbols stayed recognizable: a snake stayed a snake, a foot stayed a foot.  Like … Continue reading →

Posted in Abjad, Logograms, probably developed by illiterate(s), Rating: 4 "Huh, interesting!" | 6 Comments

Sumerian cuneiform — 3200 BC, Iraq

Posted on January 2, 2011 by ducky

Scholars argue about which came first, Egyptian hieroglyphics or Sumerian cuneiform, but neither side has convinced me. Given that they developed within 100 years (in about 3200 BC) and 1000 kilometers of each other, it’s pretty certain that one led … Continue reading →

Posted in Logograms, probably developed by illiterate(s), probably first in its area, Rating: 4 "Huh, interesting!", technology influenced | 9 Comments