Writing is one of humanity's most transformative inventions, allowing knowledge and stories to be recorded across generations.
Sumerian cuneiform, emerged in Mesopotamia around 3400 BCE, initially used for record-keeping of trade transactions.
Ancient Egyptians developed hieroglyphic writing around the same period, carved into temples and tombs.
The first true alphabet is believed to have originated with Phoenician traders around 1200 BCE.
Today, writing systems range from alphabetic scripts to logographic systems like Chinese characters.