Final answer:
The system of writing with hieroglyphics was developed by ancient Egypt around 3000 BCE, known as medu-netjer or 'the god's words'. The earliest known writing, however, was cuneiform, originating in Sumer around 3400 BC.
Step-by-step explanation:
Origins of Hieroglyphic Writing
The nation that developed a system of writing with hieroglyphics was ancient Egypt. Egyptians called this script medu-netjer ("the god's words") and it appeared as early as 3000 BCE. This complex script included alphabetic signs, syllabic signs, and pictorial symbols. A simplified version called hieratic was often used for everyday purposes such as commercial transactions and recordkeeping. The scribes who mastered this writing system played a crucial role in maintaining continuity of Egyptian culture and politics over the millennia.
The First Writing Systems
Although hieroglyphics are well-known, the earliest known writing emerged in Sumer. This was the cuneiform scripts which began around 3400 BC as pictographs and eventually evolved into a script used to record various languages across the Middle East. Cuneiform was utilized for everything from commercial records to religious texts and had widespread influence in the region. It also illustrates the multifaceted roles writing served in ancient societies, from administrative purposes to cultural continuity.