Which writing system is considered the world's first and was developed in Sumer?

Cuneiform is recognized as the world's first writing system, developed by the ancient Sumerians in Mesopotamia around 3200 BCE. This script was initially created for the purpose of record-keeping, particularly for managing trade and administrative tasks. The system utilized wedge-shaped marks made on clay tablets using a stylus, which is where the term "cuneiform" derives, meaning "wedge-shaped" in Latin.

Cuneiform represents a significant advancement in human communication, transitioning from oral traditions to a more complex system that allowed for the recording of historical events, literature, and even legal codes. It played a critical role in the development of various subsequent writing systems and laid the foundation for civilization's ability to create and preserve knowledge over time.

In contrast, the other writing systems listed, such as Hieroglyphics (used in ancient Egypt), the Phoenician Alphabet (which influenced many later alphabets), and the Latin Script (which is derived from earlier Greek and Etruscan alphabets), were developed later and are not considered the first. This highlights the importance of cuneiform in the history of human literacy and communication.