What was Cuneiform and why was it important?

Cuneiform was one of the earliest systems of writing, developed by the Sumerians around 3200 BCE in ancient Mesopotamia. It used wedge-shaped marks made on clay tablets with a stylus, enabling the recording of transactions, laws, literature, and administrative details. Its importance lies in its role in the administration of complex societies, the preservation of knowledge, and the cultural development of civilizations, influencing subsequent writing systems and communication.