The Geography of The Geography of Ancient MesopotamiaAncient Mesopotamia

Chapter 3: Lesson 1Chapter 3: Lesson 1

The Land Between Two RiversThe Land Between Two Rivers

The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers; The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers; Southwest AsiaSouthwest Asia

Start in the mountains of Turkey and Start in the mountains of Turkey and Kurdistan.Kurdistan.

Flow through what is now Iraq, southeast Flow through what is now Iraq, southeast to the Persian Gulfto the Persian Gulf

MesopotamiaMesopotamia

Mesopotamia- the land between the rivers. Mesopotamia- the land between the rivers. FlatFlat Small, scrubby plantsSmall, scrubby plants

Advantages of the Rivers (HEI)Advantages of the Rivers (HEI) Traveling by boat was easier than by land. Traveling by boat was easier than by land. Currents (flow of river) helped move boats Currents (flow of river) helped move boats

down river. down river. Few roads existedFew roads existed

Fertile SoilFertile Soil

Mountains: rains and melting snow cause Mountains: rains and melting snow cause rivers to swell. Currents pick up soil rivers to swell. Currents pick up soil (erosion). (erosion).

Floodplain: flatlands that border the banks Floodplain: flatlands that border the banks of a river where rivers flood. of a river where rivers flood.

Silt- soil left behind by flooding rivers. Silt- soil left behind by flooding rivers. Silt was fertile, good soil for growing crops. Silt was fertile, good soil for growing crops.

The Flood PlainThe Flood PlainMelting snows and rains form streams and small rivers that erode the soils and carry it down stream

Streams combine to form larger streams and rivers as they flow towards the sea

When the excess water from the rains and melting snows reach the flat plains, the rivers flood their banks leaving behind the fertile soil known as silt.

Rivers flow toward the sea or the mouth of the river.

River Source

Controlling Water by IrrigationControlling Water by Irrigation

Crops need right amount of water to thrive. Crops need right amount of water to thrive. Floods in Mesopotamia usually meant Floods in Mesopotamia usually meant farmers had too much or too little water. farmers had too much or too little water.

Floods and DroughtsFloods and Droughts

Yearly floods were very unpredictable. Yearly floods were very unpredictable. Farmers could not predict when to plant Farmers could not predict when to plant

their crops. their crops. Drought- Period when not enough rain and Drought- Period when not enough rain and

snow fall. snow fall. Drought is a constant danger in semi-arid Drought is a constant danger in semi-arid

climates, like Mesopotamia.climates, like Mesopotamia.

IrrigationIrrigation

About 6000 B.C., farmers built canals to About 6000 B.C., farmers built canals to carry water from rivers to the fields. carry water from rivers to the fields.

This type of system is called irrigation. This type of system is called irrigation. Irrigation helps keep crops watered and Irrigation helps keep crops watered and

growing. growing.

Finding ResourcesFinding Resources

Mesopotamia had no forests to provide Mesopotamia had no forests to provide wood. wood.

The region also lacked stone and minerals; The region also lacked stone and minerals; metals.metals.

Mesopotamians had few building Mesopotamians had few building materials.materials.

Mud Houses and WallsMud Houses and Walls

Mesopotamians had few building materials.Mesopotamians had few building materials. Most homes were built from brick and plaster; Most homes were built from brick and plaster;

made from mud. made from mud. Mud huts needed to be repaired often and Mud huts needed to be repaired often and

crumbled easily. crumbled easily. Mesopotamia did not have mountain regions, Mesopotamia did not have mountain regions,

easily invaded, goods often stolen.easily invaded, goods often stolen. Built mud walls around their villages.Built mud walls around their villages.

Finding ResourcesFinding Resources

Obtained some stone and wood outside of Obtained some stone and wood outside of their lands. their lands.

Traded for these things because of surplus Traded for these things because of surplus in grain. in grain.

Surplus- having more of a resource than is Surplus- having more of a resource than is needed. needed.

These systems eventually led to the These systems eventually led to the creation of a society; people working creation of a society; people working together at the right times. together at the right times.