Early Writing/Power symbols

Clay Tokens

* 1st Chronologically
* Had different shapes to represent what was being traded

Bullae

* 2nd Chronologically
* Clay jar that is meant to hold the Clay tokens
* Later had designs put on them
* Then shifted to have holes poked into them to represent what was in the jar

Clay tablets

* 3rd Chronologically
* First used similar dot system to the Bullae
* Later they began to develop cuneiform
* First a pictographic system
* Developed into phonetic system
* Some of the oldest forms of literature written this method.

Oracle Bones (1300 BCE)

* Used to seek guidance from the dead
* Put the bones in fire and have a specialist interpret the crack in bones
* Used to see if something was worth doing or not.

Maya Glyphs In different Media

* Stone Tablets - Maya glyphs were written in side kind of Pictographic System.
* Codices - Written in “Paper Book” bound by Jaguar Skin
* Stelae - Written in stone, Depicts how someone came to the throne, or why they are so great.
* Fine Ceramic Vessels (elites only) - made by specialists and were seen as works of art.
* Painting on Cave Walls

Symbols of Power

Things people can understand even if they can’t read the language.

* Egypt - The pharaoh smiting someone
* Rome - statue of Augustus
* Aztec - displaying skulls of defeated enemies
* England - Crowns

Inca Khipu

knotted strings used for record keeping; signify numbers; easy to transport

Archaism

reflect ancient things to show importance now