Unit 1 Mesopotamia Practice

• History is an incomplete puzzle complemented by archaeology.

Archaeology

• Archaeology studies remains, analyzes them, and disseminates findings.
• Archaeologists use element dating procedures like thorium decay to determine the age of artifacts and fossils, especially for ancient civilizations.
• Excavations uncover artifacts, fossils, ecofacts, and features, providing insights into past environments and the meaning of finds through inference.
• Forgeries, biases, and censorship can affect the authenticity of archaeological information.
• History often has missing pieces due to environmental changes, climate, and time.

Evolution + Charles Darwin

• Neanderthals are the closest species to Homo sapiens, having been found in the Middle East, China, and Europe.
• Natural selection, as theorized by Charles Darwin, suggests species survival depends on their capabilities to reproduce.
• A species' environment and DNA mutations contribute to evolution.
• The "Hominid" species is genetically most similar to apes.

Stone, Paleolithic, & Neolithic Age

• The Stone Age marks a period when Homo sapiens began to advance innovation and modern anatomy.
• Stone knives were among the tools discovered during this time.

Paleolithic Age

• Social structures developed based on age and gender roles, with boys hunting and girls gathering food, procreating, and trading.
• Tribes of 5-10 families lived together.
• Jewelry, weapons, sculptures, cave paintings, and fire were prevalent, representing a cultural shift.

Neolithic Age

• Humans discovered farming, mead, and beer, indicating thriving communities in Mesopotamia.
• Increased tool production occurred through innovation.
• Various occupations and the rise of civilizations were due to agricultural success.

Geographical Significance of Mesopotamia

• Mesopotamia is located in the Middle East between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
• Civilizations thrived due to water access and protection offered by mountains.
• Caravans frequently stopped for trade, indicating Mesopotamia's economic success.

The Sumerians + Culture

• Established in 3200 BCE, Sumerian civilization included walled cities and irrigation canals from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
• Society was structured with separate leaders and religious figures.
• Society consisted of a lower, middle, and noble class, with varying homes.
• Slaves were sold.
• City-states had temples in the city center with public buildings.
• They worshipped a primary god known as "Ziggurat" along with other deities.
• Most practiced polytheism, attributing different roles to gods that mirrored societal norms.
• The Epic of Gilgamesh, a 4000-year-old poem, explains a great flood.
• Sumerians were eventually conquered and weakened by the Akkadians after losing wars.

Sumerian Innovations

• Cuneiform, writing using wedge-shaped clay, was used for record-keeping, for individuals typically aged 8-20 to become scribes.

The Akkadians

• The Akkadian civilization (2350-2200 BCE) built upon Sumerian foundations.
• Road infrastructure was improved.
• Their civilization ended suddenly, possibly due to a curse or climate change.

The Babylonians

• King Hammurabi conquered Mesopotamia, renaming it "Babylon" (2200BCE-1550BCE).
• Hammurabi created laws and codes, displayed to show authority.
• Hanging gardens demonstrated scientific advancements.
• A thriving economy was due to bazaars and trade.
• Scientific and social advancements included the Pythagorean theorem and the Zodiac.

The Assyrians

• After Babylon was conquered, the Assyrians became skilled warriors, conquering surrounding areas.

Connections + Possible Test Items

• Consider the connection between deities and societal structure.
• Analyze archaeological finds to connect history and archaeology.
• Understand Charles Darwin's contribution to evolution and natural selection.
• Analyze house images to explain societal structure, such as priests and spacemen.