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R.A.S. / R.T.S. (Pre) 1992

History of Writing

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The first ancient civilization to develop the art of writing in a proper system was?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept Writing is the definitive marker of 'civilization', allowing for the storage of information beyond human memory.

Explanation The Sumerians of Mesopotamia developed 'Cuneiform' around 3400 BCE, which is widely recognized as the earliest standardized writing system in human history.

Logical Breakup
Sumerian (C): Preceded Egyptian Hieroglyphs and the Indus script.
Logic: Sumerian writing evolved from account-keeping (tokens) into a complex script used for law, literature, and religion.

Active Recall

Question

What was the Sumerian script called?

Answer

It was called 'Cuneiform', meaning 'wedge-shaped', because it was written using a reed stylus on wet clay tablets.

Core Insight

The development of writing in Sumer was the spark that enabled the first large-scale organized states and complex economies in world history.

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