Download SS_WH_LP_sumerCiv_0910

Ancient World
Was Ancient Sumer a
Civilization?
Day 1
Preview
• Scientists sometimes describe a society or group of
humans as “highly civilized.” What do you think
this means?
• Complete the spokes of the diagram on your
handout with words that describe characteristics of
a society that is highly civilized. For each spoke,
draw and label a simple example of that description
using a simple illustration.
Objectives
• Students will
– identify characteristics of civilization.
– analyze artifacts from ancient Sumer and explain how
they are examples of the various characteristics of
civilization.
– identify which Sumerian achievements most affect
modern life
– identify modern-day artifacts that are examples of
characteristics of civilization.
Introduction
Sumer was a region located on
the southern Mesopotamian
plains. It was settled around
3500 B.C.E. by Mesopotamians
who were later known as
Sumerians. Sumer extended
over 10,000 square miles—an
area about the size of the state
of Maryland—and consisted of
various powerful city-states,
such as Lagash, Ur, and Uruk.
Mammoth Bone Hut
Introduction
The Sumerian environment had a
number of disadvantages—hot
summers, a lack of rainfall, and
rivers that flooded unpredictably.
Historians believe the Sumerians’
struggles
with
this
harsh
environment inspired some of their
greatest
achievements.
Many
inventions, such as writing, the
plow, and the sailboat, were
adapted by other civilizations, and
some are still in use today. For
these reasons, some historians
refer to Sumer as the “cradle of
civilization.”
Introduction
• Let’s read 5.1, the introduction, together.
– When did archeologists begin finding artifacts in the
region of Mesopotamia?
Introduction
– Sketch in the current
countries that
comprise the “Fertile
Crescent.”
– In what country can
Mesopotamia be
found today?
Introduction
– What one artifact helped us to learn a great deal about
Sumer?
– Describe this artifact:
Characteristics of
Civilizations
• Read section 5.2.
• As you read, take notes over the seven
characteristics of civilization.
Characteristics of
Civilizations
• A stable food supply – so that people have the food they
need to survive
• A social structure – with different social levels and jobs
• A system of government – so that life in the society is
orderly
• A religious system -which involves a set of beliefs and
forms of worship
• A highly developed culture – that includes arts such as
painting, architecture, music, and literature
• Advances in technology
• A highly developed written language
Textbook Reading
• Read the remainder of chapter 5, taking notes as
you read.
• Afterwards, you will complete an activity using
your information.
• Timer
Skill Builder Activity
• Get into pairs.
• Posted around the room are placards of Sumerian achievements with
a corresponding textual explanation. You will analyze each
achievement to determine which characteristic of civilization it
represents.
• For each circle on your diagram, make a simple drawing of each
artifact you analyzed that you think is an example of that
characteristic of civilization and write a sentence: (name of artifact)
relates to this characteristic of civilization because…
• Remember: Most placards must be placed under more than one
characteristic.
• You will become an expert on the last placard you are at when time
runs out and will present that placard to the rest of the class.
• Timer
Human Spectrum
• Gently remove the placard you are currently standing by and create a
human spectrum at the front of the class, from “greatly influences
today’s society” at one end to “doesn’t influence today’s society” at
the other end.
• Be prepared to defend your placement on the spectrum to the teacher
and classmates.
• Also, you will describe the characteristics your placard represents
with a reason why it fits with that characteristic
• Students may challenge your choice and you will need to defend your
choice or move to a different area on the spectrum if you agree with
the challenge.
• Return your placard to it’s former location (please be careful with the
placards!)
Process
• Draw or find pictures of modern items that are
examples of each characteristic of civilization and,
as you place them on your spoke diagram, write a
justification for the placement.
Activity Notes Review
5.3 Notes:
Stable Food Supply
• The clay tablet relates to this characteristic of
civilization because it tells that the Sumerians
raised barley.
• The stone seal showing plowing relates to this
characteristic of civilization because it shows
Sumerians preparing fields.
Water and Irrigation
Water and Irrigation
• Why did civilizations often develop in river
valleys?
• Why did Sumerians develop irrigation, while
Jericho and Çatal Höyük did not?
• Why might Sumerians believe the gods caused their
floods?
Domestication of
Animals
Domestication of
Animals
• What were the two main purposes of domesticating
animals?
• What role did animals play in religion? How do you
think this role developed?
5.4 Notes:
Social Structure
• The statue of a chariot relates to this characteristic of
civilization because it shows a military class.
• The gold cup relates to this characteristic of civilization because
it indicates a craftsperson and an upper class.
• The clay seal of the king appointing a governor relates to this
characteristic of civilization because it shows a government
class.
• The lyre relates to this characteristic of civilization because it
indicates a craftsperson and an upper class that is entertained
by music.
• The clay tablet relates to this characteristic of civilization
because it indicates a class of scribes and workers.
5.5 Notes:
Government
• The clay tablet relates to this characteristic of civilization because it
shows that government officials distributed grain.
• The copper statue of a chariot relates to this characteristic of
civilization because it shows that was an army.
• The clay seal relates to this characteristic of civilization because it
indicates there were governors and a king.
• The statue of a king carrying a basket relates to this characteristic
of civilization because it illustrates there was a king.
• The lyre relates to this characteristic of civilization because it
indicates there was a queen.
Security
Security
• What was the role of the king?
• What was the role of the army?
• Why might the various city-states have attacked
each other so frequently?
• What positive interactions might there have been
between the city-states?
5.6 Notes:
Religion
• The statue of a king carrying a basket relates to this
characteristic of civilization because it indicates that one of
the king’s duties was to build temples.
• The stone seal relates to this characteristic of civilization
because it shows two gods.
• The statue of a married couple relates t this characteristic
of civilization because it was found in a shrine and might
have been a gift to the gods.
Religion
Religion
• Why might the temple be located in the center of
the city?
• What role did the temple play in Sumerian life?
• Why do you think religion was such an important
part of Sumerian life?
5.7 Notes:
The Arts
• The statue of a married couple relates to this characteristic
of a civilization because it shows there were sculptures.
• The lyre relates to this characteristic of civilization because
it shows Sumerians had music.
• The statue of a king carrying a basket relates to this
characteristic of a civilization because it shows they had
metalworkers and architects for the temples.
• The gold cup relates to this characteristic of a civilization
because it shows there were skilled metalworkers.
5.8 Notes:
Technology
• The copper statue of a chariot relates to this
characteristic of a civilization because it shows the
Sumerians had developed the wheel.
5.9 Notes:
Writing
• The clay tablet, clay seal, stone seal, and statue of a king
carrying a basket all relate to this characteristic of a
civilization because they all have writing on them.
Invention and Creativity
Invention and Creativity
• What allowed the Sumerians free time in which to
develop innovations?
• What were some of the main inventions of the
Sumerians and why were each invented/what was
their purpose?
• Describe how and why cuneiform changed over
time.
• How was writing used in Sumer?