Cuneiform writing is one of the earliest systems of writing, developed by the ancient Sumerians around 3200 BCE in Mesopotamia. It uses wedge-shaped marks made on clay tablets with a stylus, which was often made from a reed. This writing system was initially used for record-keeping and administrative purposes. Over time, cuneiform evolved to represent various languages, including Akkadian and Babylonian. It was used for a wide range of texts, such as legal documents, literature, and scientific records. Cuneiform remained in use for over three thousand years, influencing many subsequent writing systems.