The ancient civilization known for developing cuneiform writing is Sumer, which emerged in southern Mesopotamia around 3500 BCE. Cuneiform is one of the earliest systems of writing and was initially created for record-keeping, particularly for trade transactions and administrative purposes. The Sumerians inscribed wedge-shaped marks onto clay tablets with a stylus, making it an integral part of their culture. Over time, cuneiform evolved to express a variety of languages and was adapted by other civilizations, including the Akkadians and Babylonians. This advancement in writing significantly contributed to the documentation of human history, literature, and administration.