Evolution of Communication
Flyer by Logan Kramer
First came verbal communication...
Businessman Making Announcement Stock Photo. 24 March 2012. FreeDigitalPhotos.net. Web. 7 July 2014.
...then symbolic communication...
Grunge Flag of Gibraltar Stock Photo. 1 August 2013. FreeDigitalPhotos.net. Web. 7 July 2014.
...then written communication.
Langova, Anna. Scrabble Letters Stock Photo. PublicDomainPictures.net. Web. 7 July 2014.
Verbal Communication
Well before written communication existed, stories were passed down through the generations using verbal storytelling.
Storyteller Stock Image. WPClipart.com. Web. 7 July 2014.
Symbolic Communication
Symbolic communication first appeared around 30,000 BCE as cave drawings. It progressed to include petroglyphs around 10,000 BCE and pictograms in 9,000 BCE. Even today, we use symbolic communication in the form of ideograms like numerals and Chinese characters.
Pictograms. FreeVectorsDaily.com. Web. 7 July 2014.
Written Communication
Written communication was first introduced around 2700 BCE, and the alphabet we use today appeared around 1700 BCE. The use of written communication increased drastically with the invention of the printing press and typewriter.
Open Book Clipart. ClipartPal.com. Web. 7 July 2014.
Although we usually think of communication as oral or written, non-verbal communication was important in the evolution of communication.
Non-verbal communication consists of sounds sent via drums and other musical instruments, as well as smoke signals that could alert someone of danger or send them a message even if they were far away.