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Civilization and Cities. Deirdre Arruda and Paige Bradshaw. General Characteristics. Sumerian cities generally included… Irrigation ditches to provide water and build lakes Walls built of mud brick for defense Markets for trade Sumerians also developed city states
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Civilization and Cities Deirdre Arruda and Paige Bradshaw
General Characteristics • Sumerian cities generally included… • Irrigation ditches to provide water and build lakes • Walls built of mud brick for defense • Markets for trade • Sumerians also developed city states • Functions much like an independent country, i.e. Ur
Housing • Upper class (priests and merchants) • Courtyards, two stories, no windows to keep out heat and smell of the streets. • Middle class (government officials, shopkeepers, artisans) • Built around open courtyards, one story. • Lower class (farmers, unskilled workers) • Farthest from cities
Building Materials • There was no building stone and little timber • Mixed mud from the river with crushed rocks to make bricks • Left bricks to bake in the sun
‘Ziggurat’: Mountain of God • “The Temple: Center of City Life” • Tallest and most important building • Surrounded by a heavy wall • Bronze temple gate • Tiered structure • Storage areas for gems, grains and woven fabrics