The first written language is generally recognized as Sumerian , which emerged around 3100 to 3200 BCE in southern Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). It is a language isolate, meaning it is not related to any other known language, and it was initially recorded using the cuneiform script, characterized by wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets
. Sumerian writing began as a system of pictographs used primarily for administrative and accounting purposes but evolved into a complex script capable of expressing abstract ideas and sounds, making it a fully developed writing system. This script was used for several millennia, influencing other languages and civilizations in the region, even after Sumerian ceased to be spoken around 2000 BCE
. Other early writing systems, such as Egyptian hieroglyphs, appeared shortly after Sumerian but Sumerian cuneiform is widely accepted as the earliest known fully developed written language
. In summary:
- First written language: Sumerian
- Time period: Around 3100–3200 BCE
- Location: Southern Mesopotamia
- Writing system: Cuneiform script (wedge-shaped marks on clay)
- Significance: Oldest known fully developed writing system, foundational for later writing in the region
