Sumer was one of the earliest civilizations in southern Mesopotamia. It existed around 3000 BCE. The Sumerians built city-states such as Ur and Uruk.

They developed cuneiform writing, which was used to record information on clay tablets. Sumerians are also known for inventions such as the wheel and the plow. These developments supported farming and transport in their cities.

Sumer is studied in history through archaeological discoveries. Evidence includes tablets, tools, and remains of early city structures.