Cuneiform

Cuneiform describes one of the earliest known writing systems, developed in ancient Mesopotamia and used for several languages over thousands of years. The script consists of wedge-shaped impressions made with a stylus on soft clay tablets, which were then dried or baked. Cuneiform was used to record a wide range of material, including economic records, legal texts, letters, prayers, and literary works. Rather than representing a single language, cuneiform functioned as a flexible writing system adapted by different cultures. Its long use makes it central for understanding ancient administration, communication, and intellectual life.