DSGN 211 Flashcards
What time period do scientists believe the first human markings originated in?
Early Paleolithic - Neolithic
Where can the first human markings be found?
Africa
Why were the first human markings made?
Survival
Utility
Ritual
What are the early systems of symbols that developed into writing called?
Protowriting
What are symbols that directly represent what is depicted called?
Pictographs
What are signs or simple figures that are carved or scratched into rock called?
Petroglyphs
What are symbols that represent ideas or concepts called?
Ideographs
In what 2 ways did early pictographs evolve?
- Started pictorial art
2. Formed basis of writing
What civilization is credited for the invention of writing?
The Sumerian people in Mesopotamia
What Mesopotamian structure is believed to have encouraged the evolution of writing?
Ziggurats
What need did writing fulfill for the Mesopotamian people?
Record-keeping
What is the name of the wedge-shaped system of characters that the Sumerians developed?
Cuneiform
What kind of writing system is defined by its use of pictographs that represent words and syllables with the same or similar sound as the object depicted?
Rebus Writing
What are the graphic symbols for sounds called?
Phonographs
What is the name of the sacred writing style used by the ancient Egyptians?
Hieroglyphics
What is another name for the surface upon which writing is done?
Substrate
What was the title of authority figures in ancient Egypt who knew how to read and write?
Scribe
What was the writing school in ancient Sumeria called?
Edubba
What was the name of the early method of printing that took the form of a cylinder that could be rolled across a surface to leave an impression unique to the creator, serving a signifier of the item’s authenticity?
Cylinder Seal
What is another name for an upright slab of stone that impressions were carved on?
Stele
What were the names of the signs used after hieroglyphs that determined how they should be determined?
Determinatives
What is the name of the tall, geometric, totem-like Egyptian monument?
Obelisk
What is the name of the Egyptian stele with 3 types of scripts inscribed into it?
The Rosetta Stone
What 3 scripts were carved into the Rosetta Stone?
Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs
Demotic Script
Ancient Greek
What is the name of the oval with a horizontal line at one end that indicates the hieroglyphics enclosed spell a royal name?
Cartouche
What is the name of the paper-like substrate invented by the ancient Egyptians made of reeds?
Papyrus
