The ancient civilization credited with creating the first writing system is the Sumerians, who lived in Mesopotamia around 3500 BCE. They developed cuneiform script, which involved pressing a stylus into clay tablets to create wedge-shaped characters. Initially used for record-keeping and trade, this writing system evolved for various purposes, including literature, law, and administration. Cuneiform represents one of humanity's earliest forms of written expression, laying the groundwork for future writing systems across different cultures and languages. The Sumerians' contributions to writing, mathematics, and urban development significantly influenced the course of human history.