Which ancient civilization, developing between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, is credited with inventing cuneiform, the earliest known writing system in human history?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Sumerians (Mesopotamia)
- Step 1: Sumer emerged in southern Mesopotamia (modern-day southern Iraq) during the Uruk period around 3500–3000 BCE.
- Step 2: Scribes pressed wedge-shaped reeds into soft clay tablets to record temple transactions and laws, creating cuneiform ('wedge-shaped') writing and writing classics like the Epic of Gilgamesh.
Answer
Sumerians (Mesopotamia)
Why not the others: 'Ancient Egyptians' Ancient Egyptians developed the hieroglyphic writing script along the Nile River; 'Indus Valley Civilization' The Indus Valley Civilization used an undeciphered pictographic script carved on steatite seals; 'Minoan Civilization' Minoans on Crete used the undeciphered Linear A script and later the Phaistos Disc.
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