The Sumer civilization is widely recognized for creating the first writing system, known as cuneiform, around 3400 BC. Scribes inscribed wedge-shaped symbols on clay tablets, initially used for record-keeping, such as tracking trade and agricultural production. This innovative writing system allowed Sumerians to document laws, literature, and historical events, significantly impacting communication and administration. Cuneiform laid the groundwork for future writing systems, influencing other ancient cultures in Mesopotamia and beyond. Sumerians' advancements in writing marked a critical step in human history, facilitating the development of literature, governance, and complex societal structures.