The ancient civilization known for its early forms of writing and governance is Sumer, located in southern Mesopotamia. Flourishing around 4500 BCE, the Sumerians developed cuneiform writing, one of the earliest known writing systems, which enabled record-keeping, literature, and administration. This civilization established city-states like Ur and Uruk, each with complex governance structures, social hierarchies, and religious institutions. Their innovations in agriculture, trade, and technology laid the groundwork for subsequent civilizations in the region and demonstrated the significant advance in human organization and culture.