Which civilization first developed the concept of bureaucracy?

The Sumerians are recognized for developing the concept of bureaucracy, which was a crucial advancement in administrative governance during ancient times. This early civilization, thriving around 4500 to 1900 BCE in Mesopotamia, established a sophisticated system of organized administration to manage their city-states, economic activities, and societal functions.

The Sumerian bureaucratic system included the creation of various governmental roles and standardized procedures to facilitate the management of resources, tax collection, and public works. They utilized cuneiform writing to document laws, transactions, and administrative decisions, further exemplifying their bureaucratic practices. The emergence of bureaucracy allowed the Sumerians to maintain control over their complex societies, cultivate trade relationships, and implement legal frameworks, which laid the groundwork for future civilizations.

Other civilizations mentioned may have had forms of administration, but it was the Sumerians who are credited with formalizing bureaucracy in a structured way that influenced others in the region.