Here are a few contenders:
* The Epic of Gilgamesh (c. 2100 BCE): This Mesopotamian epic poem, written on clay tablets, is considered one of the oldest surviving works of literature. It tells the story of Gilgamesh, a king who seeks immortality.
* The Pyramid Texts (c. 2400-2300 BCE): These ancient Egyptian texts, inscribed on the walls of pyramids, contain spells and incantations intended to guide the deceased pharaoh into the afterlife.
* The Enuma Elish (c. 1700 BCE): This Babylonian creation myth, also written on clay tablets, narrates the creation of the world and the rise of the gods.
* The Hymn to the Nile (c. 1800 BCE): This ancient Egyptian hymn, composed during the Middle Kingdom period, celebrates the Nile River and its importance to Egyptian life.
It's important to note that there might be older forms of literature that haven't survived to this day. Pre-literate cultures had their own forms of storytelling, poetry, and music, which were passed down orally. These forms of literature, while not directly recorded, were still crucial to shaping human culture.
Ultimately, deciding on the "earliest" piece of literature depends on your definition of literature and how you interpret the available evidence.