Here's a breakdown:
* Clay: The tablets were made from a type of clay that hardened when baked in the sun or a kiln. This created a durable surface for writing.
* Stylus: A wedge-shaped tool was used to make the cuneiform marks (wedges, triangles, and other shapes) by pressing into the soft clay.
So, while you might think of "cuneiform" as the writing system itself, it's actually the marks made by a stylus on clay.