Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilization, single-handedly displays the benefit of advantageous geography to advance a society. In the Neolithic age, this land, known as the fertile crescent, progressed with the use of farm tools. This interplay between societal progress, driven by agriculture, led to the need for effective record-keeping. Around 3200 BCE, the Sumerians of southern Mesopotamia pioneered the oldest recorded writing system–cuneiform, an intricate system that evolved from proto-cuneiform in the late Uruk period (Hirst, 2019). Contrary to popular belief, Sumerians did not invent Cuneiform for literature, instead, the writing documented simple commercial transactions (Kleiner, 2019). Moreover, the creation of Cuneiform was pivotal, …show more content…
Sumerian farmers used the rivers to create irrigation systems by pioneering levee systems to prevent floods (Teachers' Curriculum Institute). Surplus food production led to population growth, new inventions, and the beginning of social stratification (Ellison, 1978). As society became more complex, farmers required efficient record-keeping, thus, cuneiform was invented. This writing system evolved from pictographs, known as proto-cuneiform, to abstract forms, known as cuneiform (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2021). Cuneiform, meaning wedge-shaped, was written by pressing a reed pen into a dry clay tablet. When the clay was fired, records became permanent, rendering cuneiform artifacts indelible. Overall, this age of inventions, such as cuneiform, driven by agriculture allowed Mesopotamia to advance greatly. Furthermore, cuneiform was historically significant because it facilitated administrative business, enabled efficient trade, and inspired new writing systems. The Sumerians had mastered farming, but the plain lacked natural metals, timber and stones, which halted …show more content…
As examined through Zimmern’s theory of geographical determinism, Sumer stands as a testament to the ingenuity of humanity and highlights the ability to innovate in response to advantageous geography. Whereas, contemporary Indigenous communities across Canada face geographical disparity, that prevents them from flourishing, let alone inventing. According to Statistics Canada, people in rurally disadvantaged areas experience a higher burden of diseases, establishing a connection between poor geography, health status, lifestyle, and culture (Government of Canada, 2019). In particular, the Grassy Narrows of Kenora, Ontario, face mercury poisoning, and thus cannot drink water or grow crops. This land disadvantage, although man-made, prevents most of the community from working or completing basic tasks. Although on opposite ends of the spectrum, Sumer serves as an example of why Indigenous communities should have access to favourable geography so that they can invent and advance without barriers. The Indigenous peoples of Canada have much to offer settlers, like holistic approaches to justice, education, and life
the Latin alphabet, so why has it got a Greek name? Plus it was not invented by the Greeks. Where does it originate from? Egypt, Samaria and the Origins of Writing It seems that writing originated in Mesopotamia and also ancient Egypt, where both were developed independent of each other, and they are notably very different. Hieroglyphs. The ancient Egyptians created a very different system of writing than the Sumerians, although it was developed around the same time as cuneiform. However, it consisted
they believe in more than 2000 gods. Each god has its own temple to be worshiped to. The Sumer believed that each city or and state had its own god. The sumerians belief system reflected their civilizations triumph with its harsh environment. They believed that every god was controlled by the forces in nature.The sumerians think that the reason why people fall in love and have children
led to the beginning of each war? Who were the major parties involved on either side of each of the conflict? At the conclusion of each war, who was victorious? Most importantly, how were the parties involved impacted immediately after each conflict? Why is each war important in the development of Ancient Greek history? The Persian War was a war between the Greeks and the Persians. Even though the Greeks were still not united they fought to defend each territory that was theirs. The Peloponnesian war
“The two indisputably independent inventions of writing were achieved by the Sumerians of Mesopotamia somewhat before 3000 B.C. and by Mexican Indians before 600 B.C. Egyptian writing of 3000 B.C. and Chinese writing (by 1300 B.C.) may also have arisen independently” (Diamonds, pg. 218). Other cultures may have adopted writing by ideas inspired by theses writing systems. Diamonds also points out that Sumerian Cuneiform is one of the oldest writing systems. One way the writing system was developed
Egyptians "Did the early Egyptians have help in building the pyramids?" All over the world remain fantastic objects, vestiges of people or forces which the theories of archaeology, history, and religion cannot explain. There is something inconsistent about our archaeology. They have found electric batteries many thousands of years old. They have found strange beings in perfect space-suits with platinum fasteners. They have also found numbers with fifteen digits- something not registered by any
was a captivating and intricate civilization. Over the years, historians have found it easier to study this civilization, rather than other historical civilizations, because the Egyptians went through great lengths to record their history with the use of hieroglyphics. Besides being decent record keepers, they were very religious, and “ahead of their time,” due to their technological and architectural breakthroughs. Pyramids were made, tools were created, and paper was invented. Because of the aspects
provided a place for us to draw mythical creatures and commemorate epic heroes. Our first record of the constellations date to approximately 6000 years old and were written in cuneiform (Coder, 2012). These texts were found in the valley of the Euphrates River and are simple constellations of animals (Coder, 2012). The question is why? It could be that human brain often seeks patterns in randomness. That humanity will see images in the sky to help our brains deal with the unorganized nature of the universe
the Egyptian people to focus less on people invading and more on their civilization. Egyptian people learned how to work with the river, the rich soil from flooding allowed them to grow wheat, beans, barley, and cotton. They eventually learned how to use animals for what they needed which helped speed up the
Social organization allows for civilizations to thrive. It creates an essential building block for civilizations to grow off of. It is so important that social structure is one of the seven qualities that make a civilization, a civilization. But, how did this separation of the classes come about? It started in Neolithic times when people stopped hunting and gathering. Groups of people would settle down somewhere, and each person would have a different duty to fulfill. We begin to see many advancements
Most biblical historians and theological scholars now accept that the Great Flood as told in Genesis occurred sometime around 2500BC. Recorded in Genesis 6 through 8, the scriptures point out how God became dissatisfied with the wickedness of mankind and causes a flood in order to destroy mankind. However, before the flood God locates a righteous man and informs him to build an ark for his family and the animals of the Earth in order for them to repopulate the Earth after the flood. After which,