Introduction:
This page has been produced by
members of Yr 8 History Class, Villanova College, Qld, Australia.
Students were asked to work in groups of 2 or 3, carry out research on a topic of
interest on Ancient Sumer, and then submit work in Internet-suitable format.
The class teacher has assisted.
We hope the results are useful to students worldwide who use the Internet.
This site is hosted by an Australian Web Server.
Please note: It is acceptable to use the following spellings in Australia:
'civiliSation' or
'civiliZation'
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MAP OF MIDDLE EAST:
ANCIENT SUMER
Sumer was found in the lower flood plains of the Tigris and
Euphrates Rivers. The soil was fertile silt from annual flooding. Little rainfall fell,
while summers were hot.
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The early Sumerian settlers would have been adequately supported by the wildlife and
vegetation of southern Mesopotamia. They discovered the benefits of cultivation of crops,
planting food crops such as wheat, barley and dates.
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BUILDINGS OF SUMER
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One of the most abundant resources
available to the Sumerians was mud, which could be used to make bricks. Wood and stone was
scarce. While mud bricks are not as long lasting as some other materials, ruins of
Sumerian mud brick building have survived because the climate (of present-day Iraq) is
dry. Many mounds, remnants of small and large ancient buildings, are found over the area
of ancient Mesopotamia. They are from Sumerian and later civilisations of this area. In
Iraq, one of the ancient ziggurats has been reconstructed to show what it may have been
like.
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The city of Ur
was the greatest Sumerian city. Ur had a large temple with many gods. Offerings were made
to the gods of sky, water and crops. They believed that the gods lived in high places, so
they made their offerings from the ziggurat. |
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Sumerian
houses were arranged very differently to our houses of today. Their houses were all
crowded around a temple for security. Around this cluster of houses was a large wall. This
wall was designed to keep invaders out and keep villagers safe inside. |
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WRITING OF SUMER |
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Sumerian speech and grammar appear to be different from any other language. It began as
pictographs which developed into wedge-shaped symbols for objects and ideas (cuneiform).
When Sumer declined other languages borrowed the written symbols.
Sumerian was difficult to translate, and today few people can read and write it.
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Some historians state that history started
with the Sumerians in 5000 BC because they were the first to start keeping records of
their doings and life style.
The Epic of Gilgamesh is perhaps the oldest recorded story in the world. It tells of an
ancient king of Uruk, Gilgamesh, who may have actually existed, and whose name is on the
list of Sumerian kings.
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RELIGION OF SUMER |
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Sumerian
temples were very large, showing how important religion was to the people. They had many
gods that, they believed, influenced every part of their lives. They gave their gods
offerings and they believed that they lived in high places. |
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Sumerians
prayed to their many gods. They especially asked for protection from disasters that could
strike suddenly. Droughts, floods, animal pests and invasions from foreigners or nearby
cities could all destroy food supplies, causing hardship. The people could even pray to a
deity to protect their crops from rodents such as mice.
Ki is likely to be an original name for a Sumerian goddess in 2500BC. |
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LIFE IN SUMER |
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The Sumerians domesticated animals. They bred and raised sheep and goats for their meat,
milk and fleeces. Farmers growing crops and raising animals worked very hard.
Wool was made into the coats and kilts worn by farmers and others in Sumer. Fashions in
Sumer were mainly what we would call casual dress. Women wore dresses with one shoulder
bare and men wore skirts. Men also had long hair, curly moustaches and long beards.
Priests shaved their heads. Cloaks were worn to keep warm in winter.
Sumerians carried out craftwork, making ornamental chairs and masks and decorating metal
vases.
The wheel was a great invention that brought about many improvements in society. Sumerian
wheels were made of three pieces of wood; two crescent-shaped pieces attached to an oval
piece, joined with rope.
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