How many years ago was writing invented?

Q: How many years ago was writing invented?

5,500 years (5,500). Everything before that — about 95% of human existence — is 'prehistory' because nobody could write it down. Source: British Museum

5,500

years

Everything before that — about 95% of human existence — is 'prehistory' because nobody could write it down.SOURCEBritish Museum

Scale check: 5,500 is roughly a village.

Would you have guessed? You'll be way off.

Way Off is a game which asks questions like this every day. Guess by order of magnitude, watch the truth be revealed, and beat your friends by being the least wrong.

Play today's Way Off — free

More History numbers you'll get wrong

How many stone blocks make up the Great Pyramid?the answer will annoy you How big was the Mongol Empire at its peak, in km²?the answer will annoy you How many km of roads did the Romans build?the answer will annoy you How many people lived in the ancient city of Rome at its peak, around 100 AD?the answer will annoy you All 314 facts →