<P> A conventional "proto - writing to true writing" system follows a general series of developmental stages: </P> <Ul> <Li> Picture writing system: glyphs (simplified pictures) directly represent objects and concepts . In connection with this, the following substages may be distinguished: <Ul> <Li> Mnemonic: glyphs primarily as a reminder . </Li> <Li> Pictographic: glyphs directly represent an object or a concept such as (A) chronological, (B) notices, (C) communications, (D) totems, titles, and names, (E) religious, (F) customs, (G) historical, and (H) biographical . </Li> <Li> Ideographic: graphemes are abstract symbols that directly represent an idea or concept . </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Li> Transitional system: graphemes refer not only to the object or idea that it represents but to its name as well . </Li> <Li> Phonetic system: graphemes refer to sounds or spoken symbols, and the form of the grapheme is not related to its meanings . This resolves itself into the following substages: <Ul> <Li> Verbal: grapheme (logogram) represents a whole word . </Li> <Li> Syllabic: grapheme represents a syllable . </Li> <Li> Alphabetic: grapheme represents an elementary sound . </Li> </Ul> </Li> </Ul> <Li> Picture writing system: glyphs (simplified pictures) directly represent objects and concepts . In connection with this, the following substages may be distinguished: <Ul> <Li> Mnemonic: glyphs primarily as a reminder . </Li> <Li> Pictographic: glyphs directly represent an object or a concept such as (A) chronological, (B) notices, (C) communications, (D) totems, titles, and names, (E) religious, (F) customs, (G) historical, and (H) biographical . </Li> <Li> Ideographic: graphemes are abstract symbols that directly represent an idea or concept . </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Ul> <Li> Mnemonic: glyphs primarily as a reminder . </Li> <Li> Pictographic: glyphs directly represent an object or a concept such as (A) chronological, (B) notices, (C) communications, (D) totems, titles, and names, (E) religious, (F) customs, (G) historical, and (H) biographical . </Li> <Li> Ideographic: graphemes are abstract symbols that directly represent an idea or concept . </Li> </Ul>

What is the oldest written document on earth