What was the first school?

There's no single answer to what the "first school" was. The concept of formal schooling developed gradually over a long period and in different cultures. There's no archaeological evidence of a single, definitively first institution that fits our modern understanding of a school.

However, depending on how you define "school," possibilities include:

* Early religious instruction: Many ancient civilizations had forms of religious instruction passed down through generations, often within temple complexes. These could be considered precursors to formal schools. Examples might include scribal schools in ancient Mesopotamia or priestly training in ancient Egypt.

* Ancient Greek schools: Ancient Greece saw the development of more formalized educational systems, though they differed significantly from modern schools. Philosophers like Plato established academies, but these were more philosophical discussion groups than schools as we know them.

* Early monastic schools: During the Middle Ages, monasteries in Europe played a significant role in education, offering literacy and religious instruction. These were closer to our modern idea of schools than earlier examples.

Essentially, the development of schools was a gradual process, not a sudden invention. Identifying a single "first" is impossible due to the lack of clear lines between informal learning and formalized institutions.