Accomplishments of Mesopotamia

7.1 & 7.2

SailboatsBy Sarah, Muriel, and Nairi

Sailboat

3-5 facts about sailboats

• The Sumerian’s were the first to create the sailboat

• It was significant because it allowed them to travel easier

• It also allowed for the people to trade by water • The first sailboats were very small and were like a

circular basket • After a couple years of creation the sailboats

became large up to 60 feet long

Benefits of Sailboats• Helped Sumerians’ transport goods

in water• Used sailboats to travel from Sumer

to distant lands• Used for sailing on rivers and canals • Basket shaped, covered with animal

skins• Piled sailboats with farmers extra

grain and woven materials.

Sumerian Medicine• The Sumerian’s medicine was a

combination of natural healing

techniques and surgery, it was significant

because it helped saved peoples lives

• Doctor’s treatments for illness focused

on applying many different plants and

mineral oils to sick body parts

• Archeologists also believe that Sumerian

doctors performed a kind of brain

surgery called trephination*

*trephination – Archeologists believe that trephination is when doctors cut holes in people’s skulls, to relieve pressure on their brains.

Medicine

By Ella & Risa Combined surgery and natural healing techniques Early Sumerians tried to cure illnesses by having spiritual

doctors eradicate the “demons” which they thought caused sickness

Doctors used many plants and mineral oils to sick body parts, and performed the early brain surgery of drilling a hole in the skull to relieve pressure

Their healing techniques included, Washing the sick body part with beer and mixing honey and crushed turtle shells and apply to the sick body part.

The Arch

- A structure made of bricks that added sophistication and beauty. It was shaped like an inverted U or a V shape.

- They allowed builders to create larger upright openings.

- They added strength to architecture.

- They later used the arches to create bridges, temples, and wealthy people’s homes.

The Purpose:

Definition:

By Kaesha, Cat, Soleil

Written Laws

• The Sumerians made the first laws on clay blocks• It helped with controlling the empire because when someone broke a law the judges would

know what punishment the criminal would get• It also helped guide people if they felt the judge’s decision was unfair they could complain

to the king which would use the laws to help figure out what to do

MathematicsWritten by: Sarah Gleba & Naomi Mirny

• Very Important for Daily Life-• Calculating Farmers land• Measuring land boundaries • Weighing and ounting goods

• Astronomy Use-• Let people calculate positions of the moon sun and planets• Sumerians believed the positions of the sun, moon, and planets predicted

their future

• Sumerian Mathematics used Nowadays• Everything based on 60- an hour, a minute, a 360 degrees circle• Used 3,600 to indicate a large number, like the way we say “a million”

Ziggurat• Means “mountain of god”• Ancient temple/tower• Sumerians very religious, took religion seriously• Made staircase with 100 steps so the gods could go to earth• Made of mud & bricks, stood in city states• As high as 80 feet, 200 feet wide• Zigzag and triangle decorations

Ziggurats• Ziggurats are tall, intricate pieces of architecture within a Sumerian

city that were thought to house one of the many gods in Sumerian culture. Their unique building style takes place in architecture today.

• They were made of mud and brick, and they were often 80 feet tall and 200 feet wide. They were always located in the center of the city.

• Only people of upmost importance were allowed in the Ziggurats, such as kings or priests.

Games in Mesopotamia- Sumerians created board games

for entertainment and good luck- They used colored squares and

pieces of shells, stones and bones for pawns

- Believed they would give them good luck in gaining food, drink, and love

- Games we play today were inspired by the games the Sumerians created

Niko Murray and Gabriel Ponder

-The plow made planting seeds much more efficient.-Before the plow they dig there own small little holes and plant the seeds by hand.-The Sumerians first plows were made out of wood.-Around 4000 B.C.E. Sumerians made more sturdy plows with stronger blades.-Funnel was put on top of the plow so right after the plow did the work the seeds dropped in.

Sumerian melody

Below is the Sumerian Lyre

Sumerian music facts

• Musicians played music, believing it would bring joy to the gods along with playing music during sacrifices to the gods as well other religious practices

• Musicians started being hired to sing or perform at wealthy peoples houses.

• The instrument makers made every instrument beautiful with brilliant stones, and gold.

IRRIGATION

If you can irrigate an area then it has abundant water, good drainage, and

a supply of fertilizer for the soil.

The Mesopotamians used the Euphrates and tigress as their main source of water for irrigaation

IRRIGATION: Is he artificial application of water to land or soil