What these were used for exactly is anyone's guess. 77,000 years ago we began to see objects that were decorated with markings, which some researchers believe may have been more than just decorations, but may have meant things

The oldest art we have found to date, dates back 51,000 years and was found on the Indonesian Island of Salawesi in Leang Karampuang cave. The drawing is thought to represent a pig and three humans

Early cave drawings often seemed to be crude depictions of people and animals, possibly telling stories or passing on information about great hunts.

Humans have long used images to communicate ideas, and this concept is what would eventually evolve into written language as humans continued to increase the complexity of the information they wanted to record.

Images would evolve into what is commonly considered "proto writing", simple symbols and pictographs that when put together contained information. One such example was found in 400 caves across Europe, where a series of lines, dots and "Y" like symbols were found, though to be 20,000 years old. Through comparison they were able to determine that these symbols represented the mating cycles of animals, showing when animals typically gave birth during a yearly cycle

From 8000-3000 BC there are examples of what appears to be a token system in near east region and were used across multiple cultures and languages/dialects. This was thought as a way to communicate trade, you would present five tokens indicating you wanted five of whatever it was. This would allow trade to occur regardless of spoken language

This token system advanced in Sumer and Elam (which was under Sumer occupation) around 3500 bc. "Envelopes" made of hollow clay balls, like envelopes would be made to contain tokens, which were thought to represent debt that someone owed. Some accountants would press the tokens into the outside of the ball before it cured, to leave indents indicating how much was owed without having to open the ball.

This exposed people to the concept that impressions on a surface could represent the same information as the tokens themselves. Around 3200 bc we began to see the envelopes fall out of favor, replaced by clay tablets with impressions made by the tokens

With time the marks would move from impressions, to marks drawn with a stylus and eventually new symbols would be drawn in alongside these marks to represent the unit of measure or product that was being recorded. This would a precursor to the first written language

Birth of Writing

Writing didn't just evolve in one place and spread out. As long as humans have existed there has been a desire to communicate, we are social creatures after all, so it's not surprising that there are multiple places that started writing independently of each other

There are four instances of invention that are commonly accepted

• Mesopotamia (c. 3400–3100 BC)
• Egypt (c. 3250 BC)
• China (before c. 1250 BC)
• Mesoamerica (before c. 1 AD)

It should be of little surprise that it is believed that written language first evolved in Mesopotamia, after centuries of using the written token system, it was only a natural progression.

The accounting system would evolve when the requirement to record the name of the purchaser/debtor. This required the creation of symbols that could reflect phonetic language. This started with logograms, symbols that were easily drawn, pictures of words with a sound close to that desired word (for example in English the name Neil could be written with a sign showing bent knees 'kneel')

Our earliest surviving piece of writing comes from the ancient Sumerian city of Kish, which today is Tell al-Uhaymir, Iraq, and is dated between 3500-2900 BC

Commonly called the "Kish Tablet", it is a limestone tablet with pictographs commonly thought to be the precursor to cuneiform. This tablet has not yet been translated and the writing on it does not correspond to any other known human language. Without other samples we may never be able to translate it

A typical Sumerian name 'An Gives Life' combined a star, the logogram for An, god of heaven, and an arrow, because the words for 'arrow' and 'life' were homonyms.

Phonetic signs allowed writing to break away from accounting. Inscriptions on stone seals or metal vessels deposited in tombs of the 'Royal Cemetery' of Ur, c. 2700–2600 BC, are among the first texts that did not deal with merchandise, did not include numerals and were entirely phonetic. The inscriptions consisted merely of a personal name: 'Meskalamdug,' or a name and a title: 'Puabi, Queen' Presumably, these funerary texts were meant to immortalize the name of the deceased, thereby, according to Sumerian creed, ensuring them of eternal life.

Funerary inscriptions would advance, one such way was through statues that depicted the dead. Inscriptions to have the person's name but that expanded to include their god, temples and eventually even achievements, which introduce syntax moving written language that much closer to the spoken word

After 2600–2500 BC, the Sumerian script became a complex system of ideograms mixed more and more frequently with phonetic signs. The resulting syllabary—system of phonetic signs expressing syllables—further modeled writing on to spoken language (Rogers 2005). With a repertory of about 400 signs, the script could express any topic of human endeavour. This would become cuneiform. Some of the earliest syllabic texts were royal inscriptions, and religious, magic and literary texts.

This second phase in the evolution of the Mesopotamian script, characterized by the creation of phonetic signs, not only resulted in the parting of writing from accounting, but also its spreading out of Sumer to neighbouring regions

Around 3250 the Egyptians began to develop a written language

Some argue that the Egyptians were inspired by the Mesopotamian. Some say they developed independently, pointing out how there is no duplication of symbols between cuneiform and Egyptian hieroglyphs. Others say "well duh, it was a phonetic language and the words they use for things are different than the Mesopotamians". Advocates for the borrowing from Mesopotamia also point out that evidence shows Egyptians going immediately into a phonetic language, instead of having early accounting/token systems.

The earliest Egyptian pictographs were found in royal tombs, just like the Mesopotamians. And just like the Mesopotamians, it relied on symbols representing things that sound similar to the word/name they were trying to record.

China

The earliest evidence of early Chinese written language was found on a turtle shell dated to the reign of the Shang king Wu Ding (c. 1250 – c. 1192 BCE). The writing is called "oracle bone inscription" and is considered the earliest form of the Chinese written language. These inscriptions would appear on turtle shells and the scapula of ox.[5]

These early inscriptions are thought to be the results of official divinations carried out on behalf of the Late Shang royal family. These divinations took the form of scapulimancy where the oracle bones were exposed to flames, creating patterns of cracks that were then subjected to interpretation. Both the prompt and interpretation were inscribed on the same piece of bone that had been used for the divination itself.

Roughly 150,000 of these inscriptions have been uncovered so far

In 1046 bc the Shang royal family was overthrown and bone divination fell out of favor

These inscriptions ranged between 10-100 characters, though a few dozen were common. The subjects of concern in inscriptions are broad, and include war, ritual sacrifice, and agriculture, as well as births, illnesses, and deaths in the royal family. As such, they provide invaluable insights into the character of late Shang society.

While the earliest confirmed examples we have dated to as early as 1250 bc, it's thought that the writing system must've existed some time before that. It's hard to imagine a society going from no written symbology to suddenly writing out prophecies, and linguists that have studied the characters say that many seemed to have already gone through multiple simplifications, insinuating a mature language.

In 2003 turtle shells with characters were found at a site dated between 6600-6200 BC, but other archaeologists argue there is too big of a gap between those dates and the 1250 examples, bringing the question the legitimacy

Bones weren't the only thing the Chinese were writing on in 1250, they also were inscribing bronzeware, which used slightly different characters, this text form is called "Chinese bronze inscriptions". Because of the amount of text available we're able to put together charts that show the character progression

The script became increasingly regularized during the Warring States period (475–221 BCE), settling into what is called 'script of the six states' (六国文字; liùguó wénzì), that Xu Shen used as source material in the Shuowen Jiezi. These characters were later embellished and stylized to yield the seal script, which represents the oldest form of Chinese characters still in modern use. They are used principally for signature seals, or chops, which are often used in place of a signature for Chinese documents and artwork. Li Si promulgated the seal script as the standard throughout China, which had been recently united under the imperial Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE)

Mesoamerica

There are a handful of different written languages from Mesoamerica, but the one we have the most information about is the Mayan language thought to have developed between 2500-250 BC

The Mayan script is generally considered to be the most fully developed Mesoamerican writing system, mostly because of its extraordinary aesthetics and because it has been partially deciphered. In Maya writing, logograms and syllable signs are combined. Around 700 different glyphs have been documented, with some 75% having been deciphered. Around 7000 texts in Maya script have been documented.

Maya writing first developed as only utilizing logograms, but later included the use of phonetic complements in order to differentiate between the semantic meanings of the logograms and for context that allows for syllabic spelling of words

Maya inscriptions were most often written in columns two glyphs wide, with each successive pair of columns read left to right, top to bottom

The Alphabet

In 1500 BC we would get the development of our first alphabet in present-day Lebanon. It consisted of a set of 22 letters, each standing for a single sound of voice, which, combined in countless ways, allowed for an unprecedented flexibility for transcribing speech

This earliest alphabet was a complete departure from the previous syllabaries. First, the system was based on acrophony—signs to represent the first letter of the word they stood for—for example an ox head (alpu) was 'a,' a house (betu) was b (Fig. 6). Second, it was consonantal—it dealt only with speech sounds characterized by constriction or closure at one or more points in the breath channel, like b, d, l, m, n, p, etc. Third, it streamlined the system to 22 signs, instead of several hundred.

The transition from cuneiform writing to the alphabet in the ancient Near East took place over several centuries. In the seventh century BC the Assyrian kings still dictated their edicts to two scribes. The first wrote Akkadian in cuneiform on a clay tablet; the second Aramaic in a cursive alphabetic script traced on a papyrus scroll.

The Phoenician merchants established on the coast of present day Syria and Lebanon, played an important role in the diffusion of the alphabet. In particular, they brought the system to Greece, perhaps as early as, or even before 800 BC. The Greeks perfected the Semitic alphabet by adding letters for vowels. As a result the 27-letter Greek alphabet improved the transcription of the spoken word, since all sounds were indicated. For example, words sharing the same consonants like 'bad,' 'bed,' 'bid,' 'bud,' could be clearly distinguished. The alphabet did not subsequently undergo any fundamental change.

The Oldest Texts

The whole reason I wanted to do this topic was I wanted to read some old-timey tablets for amusement, and of course got derailed by the invention of the written language. So here's a couple documents I found of interest

2589-2566 BC

Diary of Merer
Papyrus logbooks written over 4,500 years ago by Merer, a middle-ranking official with the title inspector. They are the oldest known papyri with text, whih mostly consists of lists of the daily activities of Merer and his crew

• Day 25: Inspector Merer spends the day with his phyle hauling stones in Tura South; spends the night at Tura South
• Day 26: Inspector Merer casts off with his phyle from Tura South, loaded with stone, for Akhet-Khufu; spends the night at She-Khufu.
• Day 27: sets sail from She-Khufu, sails towards Akhet-Khufu, loaded with stone, spends the night at Akhet-Khufu.
• Day 28: casts off from Akhet Khufu in the morning; sails upriver <towards> Tura South

It seems pretty mundane, but the cool thing about this journal is the context. We can't say with 100% certainty since it's not specified in the text, but the fact that they were transporting limestone to Giza during the reign of Khufu makes it very likely they were transporting the stones required for the outside cladding of the Great Pyramid

What's even more wild is the turn around time these trips had. About every 10 days, Merer and his 40 men would complete 2-3 round trips, transporting 30 limestone blocks equal to 2-3 tonnes EACH, amounting to roughly 200 blocks per month

2340-2200 BC

Thus (speaks) Babi unto Šartum: "I really began to worry! Why are you and Ibbi-īlum

Quarreling at home? Live (in harmony) together. Send me (edible) oil".

2334 BC

"Thus (says) Ishkun-Dagan to Lugalra: Work the field and guard the flocks! Just don't say to me: "It is (the fault of) the Gutians; I could not work the land!" Man outposts every mile, and then you will be able to work the land! If the soldiers attack, you can raise help and have the herd brought into the city. In the event that (you tell me) "the Gutians have rustled the flocks," I will say nothing about it and (just) pay you the money. Look here, I swear by the life of (King) Shar-kali-sharri that if the Gutians rustle the flocks, and you have to pay from your own assets, I will (re)pay you the money when I arrive in town. But even if you don't succeed in guarding the herds, I will ask you for the correct (amount) of the field rent (that you owe me)! … you should know (this)!" (Michalowski 1993, 28)

2100-2000 BC

Istanbul 2461

Istanbul 2461 is an ancient Sumerian cuneiform tablet. Some have labelled it the world's oldest love poem. It is an erotic poem addressed to king Shu-Sin (reigned 20th or 21st century BC) by an unnamed female speaker. It is thought that the poem may be connected to a "sacred marriage" between the king and a priestess of Inanna.

"The poem was not just a love poem, however, but a part of the sacred rite, performed each year, known as the 'sacred marriage' in which the king would symbolically marry the goddess Inanna, mate with her, and ensure fertility and prosperity for the coming year."

2000 BC

Sumerian School Days

This tablet, from ancient Sumeria (as early as 2000 B.C.E.), details a day in the life of a school boy. The composition translated here, about a day in the life of a budding scribe

• "Schoolboy, where did you go from earliest days?"
• "I went to school."
• "What did you do in school?"
• "I read my tablet, ate my lunch,
• prepared my tablet, wrote it, finished it; then
• my prepared lines were prepared for me
• (and in) the afternoon, my hand copies were prepared for me.
• Upon the school's dismissal, I went home,
• Entered the house, (there) was my father sitting.
• I spoke to my father of my hand copies, then
• Read the tablet to him, (and) my father was pleased;
• Truly I found favor with my father.

Misc Letters from Mesopotamia

Tell the Lady ElmeSum: Sirum sends the following message: May the gods Sama§ and Panigingarra keep you forever in good health for my sake.

Here is a way to show your sisterly attitude: although we have grown up together ever since we were youngsters, you have never thought of me, since you had that stroke of luck, with any present worth even the twelfth part of a shekel of silver. Also, the other day when you arrived and I got the abarahhu, you were not happy until you took (it) away from me, saying: "Later on, I will send you a good staff and a ...," but you did not send (them) to me.

I also told you the following: "If the honorable Abi-Amurrum, who married you, needs any logs, he should send m e word and I will send him five logs' I am now sending you a man (who travels overland) with the sacred barge of the god Adad. Send me by him one hundred locusts and food worth one-sixth of a shekel of silver. In this I will see your sisterly attitude toward me.

YOS 2 15

Tell Ahu-klnum: Awll-Amurrim sends the following message: Immediately after you left for the trip, Imgur-Sin arrived here and claimed: "He owes m e one-third of a mina of silver." He took your wife and your daughter as pledges. Come back before your wife and your daughter die from the work of constantly grinding barley while in detention. Please, get your wife and your daughter out of this

25 UET 5 9

Tell m y lord: Your servant Yakim-Addu sends the following message: A short time ago I wrote to m y lord as follows: "A lion was caught in the loft of a house in Akkaka. My lord should write me whether this lion should remain in that same loft until the arrival of my lord, or whether I should have it brought to my lord." But letters from m y lord were slow in coming and the lion has been in the loft for five days. Although they threw him a dog and a pig, he refused to eat them. I was worrying: "Heaven forbid that this lion pine away." I became scared, but eventually I got the lion into a wooden cage and loaded it on a boat to have it brought to m y lord.

52 ARM 2 106

1500-1000 BC

The Greeks were known to make things called ostracons, these were shards of broken pottery used to write short messages almost like post it notes

This also led me to read this line:

Broken pottery shards were also used for anal hygiene

Now this was wikipedia so I sure as hell didn't immediately trusted this and had to see the source cited, which led me to a JSTOR article (which if you don't know is a website that aggregates journals/articles/researches etc which I spend far too much time on). This was article was written by Carly Silver who is a public historian and an associate editor at Harper-Collins, among a long list of legitimate publications. So seems legit

Anyways the article talks about how you cleaned your butt after using the toilet in ancient greece. The fancy way was to take a louffah tied to a stick and give that a scrub then rinse it off with water or vinegar for the next bathroom user.

But if you were poor, you would use something that the Greeks had endless supply of and that was broken pottery. But you didn't just take a shard and go to town, no you would smooth off any sharp edges and you would have your own pessoi! There is even a fantastic wine cup that depicts this

What makes this little factoid all the more glorious is it circles back around to the ostracons.

Ancient Greeks exiled their enemies using small shards, or ostraka, inscribed with their opponents' names; if they later used these ostraka to wipe themselves, "literally putting faecal matter on the name of individuals," it was a curse.

375 BC

In ancient Greek there was a thing called "Curse Tablets" frequently made from thin sheets of lead with text etched into it. These etchings were usually pleas to gods and goddesses to smite someone in one way or another (and some were very creative) usually in response to some perceived transgression

Most tablets are thought to have been created around 375 BC

1200-1250 AD

Remember when I talked about Assassin's Creed Valhalla and went on that little mini dive on when vikings began writing things? One of the things I mentioned were these rune sticks, historically thought to be used for signs and conveying all manner of messages. One theory I have seen is sometimes they were used almost like text messages, you would write a message and leave it for someone, then when they got there they would write a response on another stick so on and so forth. It wasn't always sticks either, it's thought bones were used as well. If this was the primary way that vikings had recorded information outside of the gravestones it would make sense why so little of it exists today, both wood and bone can break down very easily with time and moisture leaving nothing behind. This one was written on a rib and may have been one of those

Full Source List

• https://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/human-fossils/species/homo-sapiens

• https://humanorigins.si.edu/human-characteristics/language-symbols

• https://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/behavior/art-music/rock-art/ancient-pigments

• https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2024/07/04/oldest-example-of-figurative-art-found-in-indonesian-cave

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_painting

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proto-writing

• https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/cambridge-archaeological-journal/article/an-upper-palaeolithic-protowriting-system-and-phenological-calendar/6F2AD8A705888F2226FE857840B4FE19

• https://sites.utexas.edu/dsb/tokens/the-evolution-of-writing/

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_writing

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kish_tablet

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Written_Chinese

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oracle_bone_script

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_bronze_inscriptions

• https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2956925.stm

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesoamerican_writing_systems

• https://www.amusingplanet.com/2022/07/the-diary-of-merer-4500-year-old.html

• https://cdli.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/artifacts/214919 

• https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/read-oldest-love-poem-world-1612688

• https://chnm.gmu.edu/cyh/primary-sources/408.html

• https://www.ancient-origins.net/artifacts-ancient-writings/babylonian-recipes-0010531

• https://www.sbl-site.org/publications/article.aspx?ArticleId=703

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complaint_tablet_to_Ea-n%C4%81%E1%B9%A3ir
  

• https://isac.uchicago.edu/sites/default/files/uploads/shared/docs/Publications/Misc/misc_letters_from_mesopotamia.pdf

• https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2130885/Europes-oldest-book-British-Library-raises-9million-buy-ancient-gospel-survived-pillaging-Vikings-lay-saints-coffin-centuries.html

• https://www.arthistoryproject.com/timeline/the-ancient-world/mesopotamia/diary-of-a-scribe/

• https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=oldest+translated+texts

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_literature

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instructions_of_Shuruppak

• https://www.gatewaystobabylon.com/myths/texts/life/instructionshruppak.html

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_oldest_documents

• https://daily.jstor.org/this-is-how-they-wiped-themselves-in-ancient-rome/

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostracon

• https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curse_tablet

• https://fathom.lib.uchicago.edu/1/777777122300/

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosetta_Stone