The ancient civilization known for its cuneiform writing system is Sumer. Emerging in Mesopotamia around 3500 BCE, the Sumerians developed cuneiform, one of the earliest systems of writing, which utilized wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets. This innovation allowed for the recording of transactions, historical events, and literature, significantly advancing communication and administration. The Sumerians are credited with many contributions to civilization, including the wheel, irrigation techniques, and early forms of mathematics and astronomy, which laid the groundwork for future cultures in the region.