Download Name: Date: Mods: Mesopotamia Projects Select three of the

Name:
Date:
Mods:
Mesopotamia Projects
Select three of the following projects that you would like to do. You will only be completing
ONE of them, but you might not get your first choice.
All are worth 40 points.
1. Legend says the Hanging Gardens of Babylon
were built by King Nebuchadnezzar so the queen,
his wife, would have a lovely, private, terraced
garden to enjoy. There were paths and steps and
fountains and gorgeous flowers, all built to make
a homesick queen feel welcomed and loved. The
Hanging Gardens of Babylon is one of the Seven
Wonders of the Ancient World. Using gardening catalogues, art
supplies and your imagination, create landscape plans of an
ornamental garden such as King Nebuchadnezzar built for his queen.
The plans may be a bird’s eye view or a diorama. Write a
summary of what features are included in your garden.
2. Thousands of years ago, the Sumerians created their own
superhero, Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh is one of the oldest
recorded stories in the world. Choose an episode (or create
one of your own) of Gilgamesh to retell and illustrate.
3. The Sumerians created cuneiform script over 5,000 years ago. It was
the world’s first written language. Create your own Mesopotamian
writing stylus and tablet. Include a written summary of how cuneiform
changed over time.
4. The ancient Sumerians believed that powerful gods lived in the sky.
The built huge temples, called ziggurats, with steps climbing up to the
top where religious ceremonies were held. Create/draw your own
ziggurat. Include a written response of how ziggurats were built.
5. You are a Babylonian. Write a letter to your king
using cuneiform. Be sure to include the English
translation. (15-20 sentences minimum)
6. Create an ancient Mesopotamian prayer book. Sumerians believed
their gods controlled all aspects of life. Create prayers to 7 gods. Be
sure to include information about each prayer: what the god controlled,
when the prayer would be said, and in what city-state it would be said.
Give your prayer book a cover page. (each prayer should be at least 8
lines)
7. The “cradle of civilization” was not necessarily all
“sunshine and roses”. Identify the major components of
Mesopotamia civilization. Identify both the positive and
negative aspects. Create a graphic poster that shows the
viewer what you learned. (6 topics minimum)
8. Think upon the same situations faced by Hammurabi of
ancient Mesopotamia when he established his laws.
Then, write a letter to the editor of Babylonian Times newspaper
stating your opinion of his decrees. (3-4 paragraphs minimum)
9. One of the many things the Sumerians did well was to create colorful
mosaics in intricate and beautiful patterns using little pieces of painted
clay. Create your own mosaic. Make sure it has a Sumerian theme.
(Be sure to turn in pictures used for inspiration).
10.
The people of Mesopotamia had many musical instruments such
as the harp, reed pipes and the lyre. Create a musical instrument that
might have been played by a boy/girl of ancient Mesopotamia. Include
a written summary describing when music would be played in
Mesopotamia.
11.
You did not need to know how to read or write to sign a contract
in ancient Mesopotamia. Contracts and other written documents were
signed with a cylinder seal. Research then create your own cylinder
seal. Include a written summary of how the seals evolved over time.
12.
The Sumerians created a system of mathematics based on the
number 60. Write about the Sumerian’s system of mathematics and its
importance in our civilization today.
13.
The ancient Sumerians were very smart. They invented, amongst
other things, the wheel, the sailboat, the first written language, frying
pans, razors, cosmetic sets, kilns to make bricks and pottery, bronze
hand tools like hammers and axes, the plow, and the first superhero,
Gilgamesh. Create a poster of their inventions. Don’t forget to add
detailed captions explaining your pictures. (10 inventions minimum)
14.
Re-tell the Myth of Marduk. Illustrate your story
with pictures of Marduk with his saw-toothed lightning
dagger.
15.
Create a comic book of ancient heroes and villains of
Mesopotamia. Include at least 5 characters in your
comic book.
16.
You are a farmer in ancient Mesopotamia. Create a farmer’s
almanac of the seasons and what/how many crops you plant and
harvest, what/how many animals you raise and breed, what/how many
foods you store and provide for your family and others, the weather
cycle, etc.
17.
Create a travel brochure of Babylon. Write about this massive
walled city with its network of canals and vivid green crops. Some sites
to include are the 300 foot high ziggurat, the open markets, the Ishtar
gates, and the huge brick animals positioned along Procession
Avenue. Make sure you illustrate your travel guide and include a map
with a legend.
18.
The Mesopotamians liked to have a good time, and their children
must have enjoyed swimming in the rivers in the heat of summer, or
playing with hoops, rattles, spinning tops, skipping ropes and toy
weapons. One child’s toy that we know for sure existed was a
limestone hedgehog. Create a hedgehog out of clay that a child of
ancient Mesopotamia might like. Include a written summary about
other toys discovered in Ancient Mesopotamia.
19.
Sumer Lovin’! Rewrite the classic song “Summer Nights” from the
movie Grease. Make the new lyrics fit with the tune and be accurate
about the history of Sumer. (25 lines minimum)
If there is another song about “summer” you would like to change to
“Sumer” then let Mr. Carroll know.