The Sumerian civilization is credited with the invention of writing, specifically cuneiform script, around 3200 BCE. Originating in ancient Mesopotamia, Sumerians developed this early writing system by inscribing symbols on clay tablets using a reed stylus. Cuneiform was initially utilized for record-keeping and administrative purposes, allowing for the documentation of trade, laws, and literature. This invention revolutionized communication, enabling the preservation and transmission of knowledge across generations, and laid the foundation for the development of written language in other civilizations subsequently.