English Litrature Alison

Since the earliest times humans have wanted to communicate their thoughts, ideas, views, opinions, histories and visions. Humans seem to have always had a need or desire to write. Egyptians wrote of battles, business, biographies and love in hieroglyphics 6000 years ago. Writing makes our thoughts or views more permanent. If words are spoken they may be lost. If they are written they can be read at any time by anyone.

Indigenous people in Australia, Africa and the Americas often wrote their histories and stories pictorially. Some peoples however, such as the Celtic Druids, distrusted writing and preferred to use oral traditions. The Bible, Koran, Torah and the writings of Confucius and Buddha are among the earliest writings on spirituality, morality and religion. The Book of Kells, written around the year 800 AD, is one of the most beautifully illuminated manuscripts in the world.