In the cultural development of southeastern Europe, indicators of advanced culture (that is, key innovations) make their appearance, emerging each at a certain time and developing at a particular pace. In the course of experienced time, these indicators functioned together, forming a network of characteristic features that mark the standards of civilization. While language is a manifestation of human evolution, writing is a true invention, a technology in its own league. If one seeks the essence of what makes up the fabric of the Danube civilization, it must be seen to be the vivid and widespread use of writing technology and of other forms of visual communication (i.e. cultural symbolism). More than 1000 inscribed objects have been found at more than 180 sites throughout southeastern Europe. The writing system of Old Europe never disappeared. Instead it lived on in Crete, in the Minoan culture and its system Linear A. The ancient Greeks adopted Linear A from the Minoans and adjusted it to their own language. It became the Linear B script of Mycenaean Greek. The role of the Danube script and its persistence in subsequent cultures is that of a landmark in the cultural history of humankind.