Sumerian writing

   Sumerian writing looked quite different from Egyptian writing. While Egyptian hieroglyphics were carved on stone, Sumerian writing began as marks pressed into clay tablets. Because the writers used a pointed stick, called a stylus, most of the signs were combinations of wedge shapes. The Latin word for "wedge" is cuneus, so we call this writing cuneiform writing. There were about 600 cuneiform signs.
   The papyrus reed, which the Egyptians used to make paper, did not grow in Sumer. So the Sume­rians did not learn to make paper. Instead, throughout their history, they wrote on clay. They rolled out a lump of soft clay, made their wedge-shaped marks on it, and then allowed the clay tablet to dry until it was hard. Hardened clay would last for many years. It might shatter, but the pieces could always be fitted together.

Sumerian writing