The ancient civilization that created the first known writing system is Sumer, located in present-day southern Iraq. This writing system, known as cuneiform, emerged around 3200 BCE. Sumerian scribes developed cuneiform for practical purposes, such as record-keeping and administration, initially inscribing symbols on clay tablets using a stylus. This innovation marked a significant advancement in human communication and facilitated the recording of laws, trade transactions, and literature. Cuneiform laid the foundation for future writing systems and helped to establish the importance of writing in human civilization, influencing numerous cultures over millennia.