THE SIGNIFICANCE IN OF WRITING IN ANCIENT TIMES
Writing in ancient times has played a significant role in the various sectors of civilization.writing;which involves a group of letters or symbols written or marked on a surface is possibly the only invention of comparable importance before the age of steam to agriculture in ancient times.
The advent of writing opened huge new possibilities of communication.writing allowed the expressing of language in pictogram,signs and symbols-found in Egypt,Mesopotamia,e.t.c.Thus creating the possibility to convey messages easier among ancient peoples
Also,it made for more efficient exploitation of resources allowing the ancient peoples keep records of their agricultural operations such as irrigating lands,harvesting and storing produce.Thereby reducing the complex nature of these activities.Examples of such records,has been found by archaeologist in early civilization sites like Sumeria[southern Mesopotamia] of memorandum,list of goods,recipient,seals on clay tablets.
Thirdly,writing also strengthened the government of ancient times.In the sense that there was monopoly of literacy to a certain class.This type of stratification was found in Egypt were the ability to read and write hieroglyphics;was a closely guarded professional secret among the priestly caste.Thus enabling this class to successfully exploit the people.
Lastly,the invention of writing helped in the preservation of language,literature and culture of the ancient peoples.Take for instance the "EPIC OF GILGAMESH"-one of the earliest form of ancient peoples literature was preserved from the Sumerian era up to the Babylonian era were it was gathered by king Ashurbanipal in akkadian language.
In a nutshell,i think it unlikely that the ancient people paid no attention to writing,due to the fact that its development wasn't stagnant but evolved slowly into what we have now.And so it is rational to say that the ancient peoples of ancient civilizations would not have achieved success without the role or presence of writing.
PICTURES
SOURCES
- HISTORY OF THE WORLD 6TH EDITION -ROBERTS J.M
- A PEOPLES HISTORY OF THE WORLD -CHRIS HARMAN
- GOOGLE PICTURES
ESSAY BY
OGORU DAVID OLANREWAJU [DAVE-HISTORIES]-Please drop your comments
