The ancient civilization credited with inventing the wheel and the writing system known as cuneiform is Sumer. Located in the southern part of modern-day Iraq, Sumerians are recognized as one of the first urban societies. They advanced technology, built city-states, and created early systems of governance, law, and trade. Their innovations in agriculture and engineering laid the groundwork for subsequent civilizations and significantly influenced human history, paving the way for future developments in culture and society.