How did Assyrian merchants introduce cuneiform writing to Anatolia?

Assyrian merchants introduced cuneiform writing to Anatolia during the 19th and 18th centuries BCE by establishing a network of trading outposts known as karums.12

These colonies, most notably Kanesh (modern Kültepe), served as distribution centers for trade between Assyria and Anatolia. Because these merchants maintained extensive records to manage their commercial activities—such as fixing prices, arranging transport, and settling debts—they brought their native Old Assyrian cuneiform script with them.13

These records, often referred to as Cappadocian tablets, represent the earliest historical documents found in Anatolia. The presence of these merchants and their administrative practices facilitated the adoption of the writing system, which was subsequently used by local Anatolian scribes and eventually influenced the Hittite civilization.132