text: HG Wells claimed that this activity led to the growth of states larger than the old city states.
full_question: HG Wells claimed that this activity led to the growth of states larger than the old city states. A discovery by Pierre-François Bouchard allowed for insight into ancient forms of this activity, and Linear B was used for one form of this activity. In ancient Egypt, this activity was frequently done using (*) papyrus leaves. An invention by Johannes Gutenberg made this activity easier to do on a large scale. For 10 points name this activity in which language is codified through the use of abstract symbols.
first_sentence: HG Wells claimed that this activity led to the growth of states larger than the old city states.