The ancient society that developed the first known writing system called cuneiform was the Sumerians, who inhabited ancient Mesopotamia, primarily in modern-day Iraq. Cuneiform, which literally means "wedge-shaped," originated around 3400 BC and involved pressing a stylus onto clay tablets to create a series of symbols. Initially used for record-keeping and accounting, cuneiform writing evolved to encompass laws, literature, and administrative texts. This innovation marked a significant advancement in human communication and civilization, paving the way for historical record-keeping and the development of complex societies.