The ancient civilization known for the invention of writing is the Sumerians, who inhabited Mesopotamia around 3500 BCE. They developed cuneiform, one of the earliest systems of writing, inscribing symbols on clay tablets. This significant advancement allowed for the recording of legal codes, commerce, and literature, thus laying the foundation for future civilizations’ record-keeping and communication. Additionally, their innovations in agriculture, government, and urban planning contributed greatly to the development of human society as we know it today.