An Assyrian gypsum cuneiform dedicatory panel, reign of Tukulti-Ninurta I, circa 1243-1207 BC. Of rectangular form, finely engraved on both sides, with 280 lines of text divided into eight columns ...

The room we are in is locked. It is windowless and lit from above by a fluorescent bulb. In the hallway outside—two stories beneath the city of London—attendants in dark suits patrol silently, giving ...

The history of human communication stretches back tens of thousands of years, influencing how we exchange ideas and connect. A recent discovery in a German cave has raised new questions about the ...

Early writing is a tale of two scripts. Egyptian hieroglyphs and Mesopotamian cuneiform both emerged independently about 5300 years ago. The political powers of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia ...

The world’s oldest known writing system may have had its origins in the imagery on decorated cylinders used to denote ownership or record transactions. Some of the symbols on these cylinder seals ...

A new study reveals ancient Sumerians credited gods (not humans) with inventing writing, challenging decades of scholarly consensus.

Researchers studying an ancient form of writing used by the Incas in pre-Columbian South America have unraveled new clues to a longstanding mystery. The research, undertaken by Professor Sabine Hyland ...

Greek, the oldest written language still in use, has shaped culture, philosophy, and science for over 3,700 years.

Here’s what you’ll learn when you read this story: When was the dawn of writing? Cuneiform tablets from ancient Mesopotamia seem to answer that question in the sense that symbols represent sounds, ...

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us? Here’s what you’ll learn when you read this story: Early hunter-gatherers who lived ...