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History of Writing

The Journey from Pictograms to Pixels

Author DK
Hardcover
8-3/8"W x 10-1/16"H | 20 oz | 1 per carton
On sale Sep 15, 2026 | 320 Pages | 9798217305490

From cave paintings to copperplate, the story of writing is the story of civilization itself.

History of Writing traces the evolution of writing from the first recorded laws to the digital languages powering today’s computers, exploring and explaining the ways in which it has shaped cultures, driven scientific progress, and held societies together.

Discover how the earliest scripts developed into modern alphabets through Sumerian cuneiform, Egyptian hieroglyphs, Indus Valley seals, and Chinese oracle bones. Learn about different writing systems – from the Mayan glyphs and the Cherokee syllabary to the still-undeciphered Easter Island Rongorongo script. And marvel at some of the world’s most important and beautiful manuscripts, inscriptions, and artefacts along the way.

Much more than just a celebration of the written word in all its many forms, History of Writing is a window into the beliefs and everyday lives of people through the centuries, and a must-have for anyone fascinated by language, culture, and history.
We believe in the power of discovery. That's why we create books for everyone that explore ideas and nurture curiosity about the world we live in.
 
From first words to the Big Bang, from the wonders of nature to city adventures, you will find expert knowledge, hours of fun and endless inspiration in the pages of our books. 

https://www.dk.com/ View titles by DK
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About

From cave paintings to copperplate, the story of writing is the story of civilization itself.

History of Writing traces the evolution of writing from the first recorded laws to the digital languages powering today’s computers, exploring and explaining the ways in which it has shaped cultures, driven scientific progress, and held societies together.

Discover how the earliest scripts developed into modern alphabets through Sumerian cuneiform, Egyptian hieroglyphs, Indus Valley seals, and Chinese oracle bones. Learn about different writing systems – from the Mayan glyphs and the Cherokee syllabary to the still-undeciphered Easter Island Rongorongo script. And marvel at some of the world’s most important and beautiful manuscripts, inscriptions, and artefacts along the way.

Much more than just a celebration of the written word in all its many forms, History of Writing is a window into the beliefs and everyday lives of people through the centuries, and a must-have for anyone fascinated by language, culture, and history.

Creators

We believe in the power of discovery. That's why we create books for everyone that explore ideas and nurture curiosity about the world we live in.
 
From first words to the Big Bang, from the wonders of nature to city adventures, you will find expert knowledge, hours of fun and endless inspiration in the pages of our books. 

https://www.dk.com/ View titles by DK
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