The term "cradle of civilization" refers to regions where early human societies developed complex structures, including agriculture, writing, and urbanization. The most commonly recognized area is the Fertile Crescent, which includes parts of modern-day Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan. This region is known for the emergence of the Sumerians, who created one of the first writing systems, cuneiform, around 3200 BCE. Other significant cradles of civilization include the Indus Valley in present-day Pakistan and India, the Yellow River basin in China, and the Mesoamerican region, where the Olmec and later civilizations thrived. These areas contributed to advancements in technology, governance, and culture, laying the foundation for future societies.