Sumerian Achievements: Reflections of Civilization

Assignment to hand in:    Notes About Sumerian Achievements    The Standard of Ur Questions    Writing Prompt

Overview: You will learn about Sumerian civilization achievements and why they help characterize Sumer as a civilization.

Step 1: Introduction - The "Cradle of Civilization". Check out the following map link. This area, known as Mesopotamia, was settled around 3,500 B.C.E. and covered about 10,000 square miles.

Step 2: Notes About Sumerian Achievements -  Complete handouts (print), Notes About Sumerian Achievements  by matching each topic to the Student Information Handout on Sumerian achievements. Also, find the corresponding Placard/photo in the Sumerian Achievement Photo Gallery.

Step 3: Characteristics of a Civilization: Example - The Standard of Ur - Look/print at Characteristics of a Civilization. Look at the picture of The Standard of Ur. and answer the following questions (short answers - Use this LINK for more info):
    1. Where do you see evidence of a system of government?
    2. How can you tell these people had a stable food supply (agriculture)?
    3. Is this a hierarchical or egalitarian society, in your opinion? Why?
    4. How can you tell that labor/jobs were specialized in this society?
    5. Where do you see evidence of a highly developed culture?

Step 4: Sumerian Achievements & Characteristics of a Civilization - Label each topic in the handout, Notes About Sumerian Achievements, with the Characteristic of a Civilization it best represents. For example, a picture of a blacksmith forming armor or a nail would fall under "Specialization of labor..."

Step 5:  Writing Prompt - Answer the following writing prompt in paragraph form on a lined piece of paper:

    Prompt:    1. Is the U.S. a civilization according to the six characteristics explained in class? Provide examples for each characteristic.

                        2. Does a civilization, in your opinion, need to have all of the characteristics mentioned? Why or why not?

The Six Characteristics of a Civilizations:

1. A system of government that directs and controls some actions of the members of society.
2. A regular food supply that is not likely to suddenly change.
3. Specialization of labor, in which members of the society perform different jobs.
4. Different social levels, in which some members of the society are given higher status than others.
5. A highly developed culture including art, architecture, music, literature, science, and writing.
6. A religious system, which might include priests and temples.

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