Lesson 24 - Mesopotamia

The Geography & Early Civilizations of Mesopotamia

Aim: What was the significance of Geography on Mesopotamia?

Do Now: Writing in Mesopotamia

---

Achievements of Mesopotamia

Some of the most important inventions in human history were made in ancient Mesopotamia.

Inventions, Science and Mathematics

Sumerians probably invented

• wheel
• sailboat
• tools and weapons of copper and bronze
• earliest writing system
  • cuneiform – symbol writing on clay tablets
• calendar
  • divided into 12 months

Babylonians

• number system based on 60
  • basis for our clock time: seconds and minutes

Building

Sumerians were the world’s first city-builders

• lacked stone and timber
• used mud bricks and crushed reeds
• constructed
  • walled cities
  • temples with arches
  • stepped pyramids – ziggurats

Classwork & Homework

Lesson PowerPoint: Mesopotamia - Geography & Early Civilization

Lesson Video: Invention of Writing

Lesson Activity: Mesopotamia Geography & Map Activity

Homework: Homework Packet #2