18 Questions
What was the approximate size of the City of Uruk around 3500 BCE?
250 hectares (600 acres)
What was the significance of the Eanna district in the City of Uruk?
It was dedicated to the goddess of love and war, Inanna
What was the primary writing material used by the Sumerians?
Clay tablets
What was the primary function of the ziggurat in the City of Uruk?
It was a temple dedicated to the gods
What does the term 'tell' refer to in the context of the Near East?
A mound formed by many layers of human occupational remains over a long period of time
What is the Ziggurat of Ur an example of?
A gigantic tell
Who was the ruler of the City-State of Uruk during the Early Dynastic Period?
King Gilgamesh
How did scribes and merchants transport goods in ancient Mesopotamia?
Via ships along the rivers or by donkey over land
What was the 'Epic of Gilgamesh'?
A 3000-line poem
What type of goods were imported from India?
Semi-Precious chalcedony/agate
What was the primary purpose of cuneiform writing in the Early Dynastic period?
Bookkeeping and recipe lists
Who possessed and controlled written language in Sumerian society?
The occupational class of scribes
What was a characteristic of the oikoi economy?
Lower ranked people worked for temples and palaces
How is social stratification reflected in archaeological findings?
Through ranked burials
What is a potential limitation of using ancient examples, like the division of labor in Early Dynastic Mesopotamia, to argue that gender roles are natural and universal?
It does not account for modern societal changes
What can archaeology reveal about gender roles in human societies?
That they are influenced by cultural and historical context
What was one of the main motivations for warfare in the Early Dynastic Period?
To capture slaves and add to a city's labor pool
Which goddess was associated with the city of Ur?
Nanna
Explore the benefits and drawbacks of ancient economies and the social consequences of shifting from kin-based groups. Consider the division of labor along gender lines in Early Dynastic Mesopotamia and what archaeology reveals about gender roles in human societies.
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