Ancient Times:
* Oral Communication: This was the most common form of communication in ancient societies. People spoke directly to each other, often in public spaces or through messengers.
* Pictograms: These were early forms of writing using pictures to represent objects or ideas. They were used in ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and other civilizations.
* Hieroglyphs: More complex than pictograms, these were symbols representing sounds, syllables, or words. They were used in ancient Egypt and other parts of the world.
* Cuneiform: A writing system using wedge-shaped marks, used in ancient Mesopotamia.
* Smoke Signals: Used by some Native American tribes, these were visual signals made by creating smoke patterns.
* Drums: Some cultures used drums to communicate messages over long distances through different rhythms and patterns.
Medieval Times:
* Scrolls: These were long strips of parchment or papyrus rolled up for storage. They were used for important documents and messages.
* Codex: A book format with pages bound together, used for more complex texts and documents.
* Messenger Services: Professional couriers carried messages and letters between individuals and institutions.
Pre-Modern Times:
* Heraldry: Symbols and images used to identify individuals, families, and institutions.
* Flags: Used to signal messages and identify different groups.
* Semaphore: A system of visual signaling using flags or other objects to represent letters.
* Pigeon Post: Trained pigeons were used to carry messages, especially during wartime.
It's important to note that the use of these methods varied greatly across time and culture. Some methods were used for specific purposes or by specific groups.
The invention of letter writing, particularly with the development of postal systems, marked a significant shift in communication, enabling more efficient and widespread transmission of information.