Final answer:
To interpret written stories of Mesopotamia, an anthropologist would need to understand cuneiform, an early, complex, and flexible system of writing that originated as pictographs in Sumer and was used across Mesopotamian cultures. The correct answer is option c.
Step-by-step explanation:
An anthropologist aiming to interpret the written stories of Mesopotamia would need to understand cuneiform. Cuneiform is one of the earliest forms of written expression that started out as pictographs and evolved into a complex writing system used by various Mesopotamian cultures. This writing emerged around the 30th century BC in Sumer and is characterized by its distinctive wedge-shaped script.
It became the standard for record-keeping and literature, retaining exclusive use by scribes due to its complexity. However, cuneiform was flexible enough to symbolize a wide variety of sounds, allowing it to be adapted to multiple languages across Mesopotamian societies. As a result, cuneiform scripts spread throughout regions including Iran, Armenia, and Egypt, cementing its importance in understanding historical Mesopotamian culture.