How did ancient Mesopotamians develop writing systems?

The ancient Mesopotamians developed cuneiform writing, one of the earliest known writing systems, around 3400 BCE. It began as a series of pictographs, with each symbol representing a specific object or concept. Over time, these symbols evolved into a more abstract script used for recording transactions, laws, and literature. Cuneiform was inscribed on clay tablets using a stylus, and it was used for administrative purposes, legal documents, and religious texts. The development of cuneiform writing was crucial for the administration of complex societies, the preservation of knowledge, and the growth of trade and culture in Mesopotamia.