Why were Scribes in Sumerian society important?

Scribes in Sumerian society were crucial because they held the specialized knowledge of reading and writing cuneiform, which was essential for record-keeping and administration. They facilitated the organization of trade, legal transactions, and tax collections, thereby helping to maintain the economic and social structure of Sumerian city-states. Additionally, scribes played a key role in preserving knowledge and culture through the documentation of literature, laws, and religious texts, thus contributing to the continuity of Sumerian civilization.