Computation Systems and Graphic Recording in Ancient Mesopotamia: Tokens and Proto-Cuneiform Writing

The present study summarises the current theories about the origins of cuneiform writing, starting from the evolutionist model proposed by I.J. Gelb, Study of Writing in 1961 to the sterling work of Denise Schmandt-Besserat culminating in Before Writing in 1992 which opened new perspective of research. The critical examination of the rich scientific literature descending from the studies of Schmandt-Besserat highlights the impact of her theories on assyriological research and weighs up both its validity and limits.