Answer:
The Sumerians wanted the clay to be dried into a somewhat hardened state, made a fine surface for writing, and when fired the records written on it became permanent.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cuneiform script was written by pressing a reed pen or stylus with a wedge-shaped tip into a clay tablet. Clay, when dried to a somewhat hardened state, made a fine surface for writing, and when fired the records written on it became permanent.