History of Written Language
Writing only developed to correspond to spoken language during the third millennium B.C.E. - before which, documents were all written in cuneiform, a picture based language thought to have been created around 1000 years earlier. Most documents and inscriptions are written in Sumerian, with some showing some Semitic Akkadian, and some showing unknown languages. This cocktail of literature shows that many different cultural/ethnic groups were probably living in early Mesopotamia. More evidence is shown of this, when after only about two centuries, as Sargon of Akkad came to power (around 2350 B.C.E), the majority of official documents were written in Semitic Akkadian. After another approximately one and a half centuries, the civilization was back to Sumerian, until finally the Semitic Akkadian language prevailed, about 150 years later. It is believed that the Sumerian language faded away about that time.
Why communication and literature was important
Because of the lack of certain minerals and materials around Mesopotamia, and the great surplus of crops through irrigation, trade was a practical necessity. By swapping unnecessary crops and foods, Mesopotamian society can thrive and grow.
Writing only developed to correspond to spoken language during the third millennium B.C.E. - before which, documents were all written in cuneiform, a picture based language thought to have been created around 1000 years earlier. Most documents and inscriptions are written in Sumerian, with some showing some Semitic Akkadian, and some showing unknown languages. This cocktail of literature shows that many different cultural/ethnic groups were probably living in early Mesopotamia. More evidence is shown of this, when after only about two centuries, as Sargon of Akkad came to power (around 2350 B.C.E), the majority of official documents were written in Semitic Akkadian. After another approximately one and a half centuries, the civilization was back to Sumerian, until finally the Semitic Akkadian language prevailed, about 150 years later. It is believed that the Sumerian language faded away about that time.
Why communication and literature was important
Because of the lack of certain minerals and materials around Mesopotamia, and the great surplus of crops through irrigation, trade was a practical necessity. By swapping unnecessary crops and foods, Mesopotamian society can thrive and grow.
![Picture](/uploads/5/3/2/5/53252007/9602082_orig.jpg)
Sumerian Cuneiform language - before written language began to correspond to spoken language.
http://www.olscorona.org/staff/azucena-quintuna/ss-6th-grade/sumerian-cuneiform
http://www.olscorona.org/staff/azucena-quintuna/ss-6th-grade/sumerian-cuneiform