Which ancient writing system was based on pictographs and used wedge-shaped characters?

Cuneiform is the correct answer because it refers to one of the earliest known writing systems, developed by the ancient Sumerians of Mesopotamia around 3500 BCE. This writing system utilized a series of wedge-shaped marks made in clay tablets using a stylus. The term "cuneiform" itself comes from the Latin word "cuneus," meaning wedge, which describes the shape of the characters.

Cuneiform began as a series of pictographs where symbols used depicted objects and concepts, evolving over time into a more abstract form that could represent sounds and syllables, allowing for greater complexity in the representation of language. This adaptability made cuneiform one of the foundational writing systems in human history.

In contrast, hieroglyphics is another form of writing based on pictographs, often associated with ancient Egypt and known for its intricate characters, but it does not utilize wedge-shaped characters. The alphabet, as a system of writing, involves characters that represent sounds rather than pictorial representations. Finally, Latin refers to a specific language and script used during the Roman Empire, which is quite different in origin and structure from cuneiform. Thus, cuneiform is uniquely characterized by its wedge-shaped etchings and significant historical impact