Early Accounting and Trade: The development of agriculture, trade, and urban centers spurred the Mesopotamians to document transactions, inventory, and other economic data. Cuneiform facilitated these activities and aided in the growth of economic systems.
Religious and Literary Texts: Cuneiform scripts were also used to transcribe religious texts, mythological stories, legal codes, and literary works of ancient Mesopotamia. Preserving knowledge, beliefs, and narratives contributed to cultural continuity and heritage in the region.
Absence of Suitable Writing Material: Mesopotamia's environment lacked sufficient resources for making papyrus or parchment like those found in Egypt or Greece. Instead, the readily available clay could be easily formed into shapes and became the prime material for writing, leading to the invention of cuneiform.
Evolution of Script: The original pictographic symbols of cuneiform underwent simplification and abstraction over time to form wedge-shaped marks. This evolutionary process resulted in a versatile script.