Who were the few people who knew how to read and write in ancient civilizations?

In ancient civilizations, literacy was typically limited to a small elite group, including priests, scribes, and government officials. These individuals were often tasked with record-keeping, religious texts, and administrative duties. In societies like ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China, scribes underwent extensive training to master writing systems, making them crucial to the functioning of their respective cultures. As a result, literacy was both a privilege and a powerful tool that reinforced social hierarchies.