The ancient civilization known for the development of cuneiform writing is the Sumerians. They lived in the southern part of Mesopotamia, which is now modern-day Iraq, around 3500-3000 BCE. Cuneiform, one of the earliest systems of writing, began as a series of pictograms and eventually evolved into a complex script comprised of wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets. This innovation allowed for the recording of transactions, events, and literature, significantly contributing to the progress of governance and culture. The Sumerians' advancements in agriculture, mathematics, and astronomy also laid the foundations for subsequent civilizations in the region.