Environmental Challenges in Ancient Sumer

Questions and Answers

What was one of the key technological innovations that made the transport of goods easier?

Introduction of clay tablets

Development of the sundial

Invention of the wheel (correct)

Creation of potter's wheel

Humans are the only species capable of using tools.

False

What is the shape of the hyoid bone important for in human evolution?

Speech

The Sumerians used a base ___ number system, influencing how we divide circles and hours.

60 Signup and view all the answers

Match the following milestones with their significance in human evolution:

Bipedalism = First hallmark feature of hominin ancestors Nonhoning Chewing = Loss of large honing canine tooth Speech = Unique ability to express complex thoughts Material Culture and Tools = Use of stone tools to manipulate environment Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes the Sumerians' contributions to mathematics?

They developed tables for multiplication and division. Signup and view all the answers

Humans obtained most of their energy for brain development from cultivated plants.

False Signup and view all the answers

What was developed based on the cycles of the moon?

Calendar Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary function of ziggurats in Sumerian society?

To please the gods and offer sacrifices Signup and view all the answers

The Sumerians practiced monotheism, believing in one god for all aspects of life.

False Signup and view all the answers

What were the city-states of Sumer, and how did they control their surrounding areas?

City-states were independent political entities that had control over the surrounding countryside through economic and political power. Signup and view all the answers

The Sumerians developed a system of writing known as __________.

Cuneiform Signup and view all the answers

Match the Sumerian deities with their corresponding aspects of life:

God of Fertility = Agriculture God of Peace = Warfare God of Health = Healing God of the Sea = Fishing Signup and view all the answers

What solution did the Sumerians implement to combat unpredictable flooding?

Creating irrigation canals and dikes Signup and view all the answers

Uruk is considered one of the first true cities in the world.

True Signup and view all the answers

What materials did the Sumerians commonly trade, and what did they import?

The Sumerians traded wool, barley, dried fish, wheat, and metal goods, and imported copper, tin, and timber. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Environmental Challenges

Unpredictable flooding followed by droughts led to land degradation, resembling desert conditions.
Lack of natural barriers left the region vulnerable and defenseless.
Building materials and natural resources were limited, impacting development.

Sumerians Create City-States

City-states functioned with political and economic authority over surrounding regions.
Ur was a critical trade hub at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
Uruk is regarded as the first true city in human history.

A Religion of Many Gods

Polytheistic belief system characterized by anthropomorphic gods governing various life aspects.
Deities represented forces of nature, influencing peace, health, fertility, and natural disasters.
Specific gods were associated with professions, such as fishing and agriculture.
Ziggurats, step-pyramids made of sun-baked bricks, served as shrines, embodying religious devotion.

Religion and Rulers

Early governance in Sumer was dominated by temple priests acting as intermediaries with the divine.
Temples were central to both economic and political life in the city.
The city’s ruler was believed to be divinely chosen and protected by the gods.

Mesopotamian Economy

Sumerians engaged in bartering goods including wool, barley, dried fish, wheat, and metal products.
Importation of copper, tin, and timber was essential for further development.

Solution to Environmental Challenges

Irrigation canals were constructed to divert river water for agriculture, creating crop surpluses.
Defensive structures like city walls were built to protect against invasions.
Trade networks allowed Sumerians to exchange agricultural goods for raw materials.

Public Works

Flood control measures included dikes and dams, mitigating flood damage to crops.
Irrigation systems transported water to fields during dry spells.

Tools, Technologies, and Innovations

Cuneiform writing system utilized a reed stylus to create wedge-shaped symbols on clay tablets.
The invention of the wheel facilitated the transportation of goods via wheeled carts.
The potter’s wheel enabled the creation of clay pots and jars.

Mathematics and Calendars

Developed multiplication and division tables, and utilized geometry in calculations.
The base-60 number system led to the division of circles into 360 degrees and time into 60 minutes.

Astronomy and Astrology

Sumerians regularly observed celestial bodies, recording their movements and changes.
They created a lunar calendar based on the moon's cycles.

Human Evolution Insights

Humans are one of many species on Earth, with unique evolutionary traits.
Misconceptions about human evolution include the idea of a linear progression toward an ultimate goal.

Key Events in Human Evolution

6 million years ago: Upright bipedalism emerged as a defining characteristic of hominin ancestors.
5.5 million years ago: Development of non-honing canine teeth transformed dietary habits.
2.5 million years ago: Speech capability, linked to the structure of the hyoid bone, allowed complex communication.
3.3 million years ago: Creation and use of tools marked the beginning of material culture.
1 million years ago: Dependence on hunting for animal protein facilitated brain growth and function.
11,000 years ago: Cultural shifts associated with the development of modern human societies.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the environmental challenges faced by the Sumerians, including unpredictable flooding and drought conditions that affected their land. Learn about how these factors influenced the development of city-states like Ur as key trade centers. This quiz delves into Sumerian society and its response to ecological limitations.