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