The following is a chronological listing of significant events in the development of the fields of Information and Information Technology prior to 1700 (many of the dates are necessarily approximate). For other time periods see: 3200 B.C. — The seal is invented in Sumer. 3000 B.C. — Papyrus scrolls and hieroglyphs are used in Egypt. 2400 B.C. — The abacus is invented in Babylonia. 1900 B.C. — Egyptian scribe uses non-standard hieroglyphs in inscription; first documented example of written cryptography. 1350 B.C. — Cuneiform script is invented in Assyria. 200 B.C. — The Chinese invent paper.