Final answer:
Sumerians used a reed stylus to press wedge-shaped marks into wet clay tablets, creating the durable cuneiform writing system. The baked clay tablets were robust, preserving records for millennia.
Step-by-step explanation:
What was used by Sumerians for cuneiform writing?
The Sumerians used a reed stylus as a writing instrument to create cuneiform. This stylus was pressed into wet clay to form wedge-shaped marks, which is why cuneiform is derived from the Latin cuneus, meaning 'wedge'. The marks were arranged in a meaningful pattern to create written records.
What made cuneiform writing very durable?
Cuneiform writing became very durable due to the use of clay tablets that, once baked, hardened much like the clay bricks used in Sumerian buildings. This process made the tablets resistant to the elements and time, allowing many to survive for thousands of years, providing us with invaluable insights into the early history, economy, society, and culture of Mesopotamia and its peoples.