Conclusion

As symbols became more abstract, they were also gaining sound value via phonetic extension–some became morphograms (graphemes representative of entire words or morphemes) and some became phonograms (graphemes representative of units of sound–syllables in this case)–as well as new meaning through semantic extension. Others were used as semantic complements (symbols that are not pronounced but elaborate on the meaning of a prior word). This is all to say that, within the Uruk IV period of 3200-3100 BC, a fully fledged writing system–one of the earliest in the world–had emerged: what we now call cuneiform (Rogers).

Following its development from token to tablet, we are able to see that its creation was not a great mystery or a sudden innovation, but a gradual evolution primarily motivated by economic need against the backdrop of early urbanization.