The ancient society famous for creating a system of writing known as cuneiform is the Sumerians, who inhabited southern Mesopotamia. Cuneiform, developed around 3200 BCE, is one of the earliest forms of writing and was initially used for record-keeping purposes, such as tracking trade and agricultural activities. This wedge-shaped script was impressed onto clay tablets using a reed stylus, and it eventually evolved to represent not just sounds but also ideas and concepts. Cuneiform became a foundational element in the development of various ancient Near Eastern cultures, influencing subsequent writing systems and recorded history.