Written Language Timeline

By MsKildall
  • 3400 BCE

    Cuneiform (Sumerians, Mesopotamia)

    -One of the earliest known writing systems.
    -Used wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets.
  • 3200 BCE

    Hieroglyphics (Ancient Egypt)

    Pictorial symbols used for religious and official texts.
    Written on walls, papyrus, and tombs.
  • 2000 BCE

    Chinese Oracle Bone Script

    Early form of Chinese writing. Inscribed on animal bones and turtle shells for divination.
  • 1500 BCE

    Phoenician Alphabet

    First known alphabet (symbols for sounds, not whole words or ideas). Basis for Greek and Latin alphabets.
  • 800 BCE

    Greek Alphabet

    Adapted from Phoenician script. Introduced vowels, influencing many modern languages.
  • 500 BCE

    Latin Alphabet (Ancient Rome)

    Based on the Greek alphabet. The foundation for many modern Western languages, including English.