What was cuneiform and what civilization developed it?

Cuneiform is one of the earliest systems of writing, characterized by its wedge-shaped marks made on clay tablets using a reed stylus. It was developed by the ancient Sumerians of Mesopotamia around 3200 BCE. This writing system was initially used for record-keeping and administrative purposes but eventually evolved to encompass various forms of literature and legal texts. Cuneiform significantly influenced subsequent writing systems and cultures in the region.