Download Mesopotamia Ziggurat Stations Work

Name: KEY
Period:
Date:
World History – Mrs. Schenck
Mesopotamia Ziggurat Stations Work
Directions: The purpose of a ziggurat was to worship the gods. Go to each station letter and follow the
directions here using the materials at that station. Put your answer in the corresponding letter on the
ziggurat on the back and on this side or other papers when prompted.
A. Religion EQ: “What is the role of religion in ancient civilizations?”
Most ancient cultures were polytheistic. Define polytheism and monotheism using a dictionary.
o polytheism: belief in many gods
o monotheism: belief in one god
Use the handout “Mesopotamian Gods and Goddesses” to complete the following.
o Dedicate your ziggurat to the god of your choice. Label Box A “Shrine”. Then write a god’s
name, association, city, and draw his/her symbol.
o Make an inference about the function of religion in ancient Mesopotamia using the list of
gods/goddesses.
Ex: Based on the evidence that many of the gods dealt with nature, we can infer that
Mesopotamians prayed to gods for good harvest, water, protection from floods, etc.
B. History EQ: “How do we use inferences and connections from reliable sources to build
understanding?”
o Have 2-3 people login to the online textbook. Complete the “Culture Close-Up: The Fertile
Crescent” activity found there. Answer the six questions found there in Box B and on an
additional piece of paper. You must write out the QUESTION and ANSWER!.
C. Geography EQ: “How does geography influence how people live, move, and define regions?”
Watch the Sumerian Creation Myth. http://www.bigmyth.com/2_eng_myths.html
o In Box C, describe the purpose of humans the myth describes.
o How does geography influence the Sumerian myth? What can you infer this might tell us about
Mesopotamian life and culture?
Ex. Based on the evidence that the myth explains where many elements of nature come from,
like the sun and stars, we might infer that Mesopotamians used stories of their gods to explain
nature since they did not have the knowledge of science that we do today.
D. Government EQ: “How is power defined, used, and transferred?”
Read the handout “The Code of Hammurabi”.
o After reading, define what you think eye for an eye justice is: whoever causes an injury should
be punished with the same injury
o Define equal justice: fair treatment under the law (no different punishments by social class like
in Hammurabi’s code)
o Choose one code to focus on and write it here. Code 229
Explain whether you agree or disagree with the code and why. If you disagree, offer a more
fitting punishment.
I disagree with the code about the carpenter. The builder of a house that collapses should not be
put to death. The collapse may have been a result of the family’s neglect of the house. A better
punishment might be having the carpenter assist in free repairs.
o In Box D, describe what groups of people you think had power in ancient Mesopotamia, and how
they used it?
E. Contributions EQ: “How does learning about ancient cultures impact how you understand the
world and our connections to other people?”
Immortality is the search for eternal or never ending life or fame.
Watch 5 minutes from Episode 11 “The Immortals” of Cosmos (around 2:10 to 7:20).
o In Box E, explain how the Mesopotamian invention of writing lead to immortality for
Enheduanna and all people.
o What two main pieces of Gilgamesh’s story have become part of our culture today? Where have
you seen/heard them before?
1. Flood Story – Noah’s ark, etc.
2. Hero’s Journey – Harry Potter, Spiderman and other super heroes, Star Wars, etc.
F. Contributions EQ: “How does learning about ancient cultures impact how you understand the
world and our connections to other people?”
http://mesopotamia.lib.uchicago.edu/interactives/DigIntoHistory.html - Click on GO TO MUSEUM.
Using the website given, locate artifacts to prove the statement about agriculture, writing, or
technology on the back of your ziggurat.
There are three possible quest statements to choose from dealing with the roles of agriculture, the
development of writing, and science/inventions. Make sure you choose artifacts that support the
statement.
•
•
•
Agriculture played a very important role in the development of ancient Mesopotamian society.
As writing developed, its use and application became more complex over the course of time.
The ancient Mesopotamians invented many things that are still in use today.
Name:
Period:
Date:
World History 7 –
Mrs. Schenck
A
SHRINE
Ex: An/Anu – god of the sky, father of the gods
City: Uruk
B 1. How did Mesopotamians use technology? To advance their civilization. For example, writing helped them
keep records and increase trade. 2. How did Mesopotamians use cylinder seals? They were used to mark
belongings and containers. 3. How did technology help the Phoenicians trade? They invented better sailing
technology and used the North Star to navigate. Better equipment meant they could trade more efficiently and often
with other places. 4. How did Babylonians water the hanging gardens? They used advanced irrigation
technology of buckets and pulleys. 5. How did technology change warfare? They invented bronze that steal
weapons and armor which were more effective killing machines. 6. What does the Standard of Ur show? It shows
the different social classes and their jobs at a banquet.
C What was the purpose of humans?
The purpose of humans appears to be to farm. I can infer that people thought they were supposed to do the work for the gods
and farm the land and produce food. Humans are supposed to take care of the Earth.
D What groups of people do you think had power in ancient Mesopotamia, and how did they use it?
adults, wealthy, men, upper classes – to maintain control over other people, etc.
E How the Mesopotamian invention of writing lead to immortality for Enheduanna and all people?
The invention of writing allows all people to leave their thoughts and feelings behind for future generations to read.
So in a way, you can live forever through the written words that you leave behind for others to read!