Western Civilization Writing Origins

By BrianAlv05
  • Period: 3400 BCE to 2800 BCE

    Egyptian Hieroglyphics

    It is very heavily discussed whether Babylonian writing had any influence on Egyptian hieroglyphics. We just assume that Egyptians heard about Babylonian writing early into their development, but Egyptian writing seems to be at least as old, or possibly a few hundred years older. There is evidence of Egyptian writing from around 3400 BCE.
  • 3000 BCE

    Ancient Mesopotamia Writing

    In the West, Writing was invented in Ancient Mesopotamia just prior to 3000 B.C.E., so this period includes visual appropriation (paintings, sculpture, and architecture) made before that time
  • 2800 BCE

    Chinese Writing

    The earliest form of Chinese writing that survives is on the tens of thousands of oracle bones used in the Shang Dynasty, somewhat over 3,200 years ago.
  • 1000 BCE

    Americans Develop Writing

    Writing appeared in the Americans much after than in the Middle East & China. This pushes back Olmec writing to around 1000 BCE