SUMER

Set to 5 different clues across 5 published puzzles, most often “Birthplace of cuneiform writing” — The New York Times, Sunday, 12 December 2010.

5 letters

Every clue on record, most used first

Birthplace of cuneiform writingonce
The New York Times — Sunday, 12 December 2010
So-called "cradle of civilization"once
The New York Times — Thursday, 18 March 2004
Locale of ancient Uronce
The New York Times — Sunday, 22 June 1997
Land ruled by Sargononce
The New York Times — Sunday, 2 June 1996
Ur's localeonce
The New York Times — Wednesday, 23 August 1995