Cuneiforme 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, allowing for the recording of various languages, including Sumerian and Akkadian. This writing system was essential for administration, trade, and literature, enabling the documentation of laws, stories, and economic transactions. Cuneiforme eventually influenced other cultures and writing systems in the region, making it a significant milestone in the history of human communication.