Sumerian Contributions to civilization

1. Sumerian Contributions to civilization Students will read a source document and list the various technological advances attributed to Sumer and create a cause and effect diagram.

2. Recall and explain: What does it mean to have supreme power? Warm Up:

3. Read pages 143-147 define the 6 key terms. Homework

4. Turn and talk: Why is writing important? • Cuneiform: The world’s first system of writing Blame the Sumerians

5. Even though most people could read and write they weren’t all skilled. Scribes were skilled readers and writers hired to keep track of items such as. . . • How to do something • Laws • Items traded or sold • Business records A good scribe could help move them and their family into a better social class Be thankful

6. As we learned arts is one of the needed parts of a successful civilization. Epics were long, detailed and exciting stories about heroes saving the world, completing a dangerous mission and or something else exciting. These were read as ways of entertainment. Before there were movies

7. Sumerians also invented everyday items such as • The wheel • Sewers • Makeup • Jewelry • Metal weapons and tools Stuff we take from granted

8. Ziggurats: large temples for worship • These could be as high as 180 feet tall • Turn and Talk: How do you think Sumerians built these without cranes and machines? A Ziggurat in present day Iraq formerly Ur Religious people need a place to worship

9. Work Time: