Exploring Cuneiform: The First Writing System
A Grade 8 social studies worksheet covering the origins, characteristics, and significance of Cuneiform, the ancient Sumerian writing system.
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Exploring Cuneiform: The First Writing System
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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Some questions may require critical thinking and recall of historical facts about ancient Mesopotamia and the development of writing.
1. What is Cuneiform, and which ancient civilization is credited with its invention?
2. Approximately when and where did Cuneiform first emerge?
3. What material was primarily used for writing Cuneiform?
Papyrus scrolls
Clay tablets
Stone slabs
Animal hides
4. Scribes used a reed stylus to press wedge-shaped marks into soft tablets, which were then dried in the sun or baked in a kiln to make them permanent.
5. Early Cuneiform was , meaning symbols represented objects or ideas. Over time, it evolved to include , where symbols represented sounds.
6. Cuneiform was only used by the Sumerians and was not adopted by other Mesopotamian civilizations.
True
False
7. Why is the invention of Cuneiform considered a significant development in human history?
Look at the image of a Cuneiform tablet below. What observations can you make about its appearance and the writing style?
