Sumerians invented writing around 3100 BCE. They used it for the accounting system of the goods that were traded at Uruk. The writing consisted of pictographs, simple pictures that explained what the situation would be. It is like representation of something that you would do. The symbols evolved from pictures to phonograms and later became true writing system.
Even in today's world, we, in everyday life use the pictographs for almost everything. For example, when we are driving we follow the directions of the pictures that represent situation or motion that we want to do. Like “plane for airports”, “ bench for picnic area or rest area”. Essentially, we are following the same approach as they did.
Today's pictorial representation.
3 comments:
It would seem that we have even gone further then using the pictographs for directions to the airport,etc. We do have many cultures that reside in California alone, some who still do not know the english language. The pictograpgs are also used to make it easy for them to navigate here. If all our signs were written, it would make it very difficult :)
Its funny how such an everyday thing just seems naturla and we dont think about its background. I didn't even realize that the pictures we see on the side of the road are like the same ways that people communicated back then. It just came to me when I read your blog. Everybody sees these signs everyday and we all automatically know what they mean. Its almost like a universal language like the ones the Egyptians had. it was one of those "ohhhh, I get it moments"...
-Danielle (it wouldnt let me put in my password)
I was struck by the same thing when I read this chapter. It continues to amaze me that we have used so many if not almost all the creations that the people centuries ago came up with. Just proves that we don't need all this technology to come up with brilliant ideas.
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