This document discusses the characteristics of early civilizations and provides details about the Sumerian civilization that emerged in Mesopotamia around 3000 BCE. It notes that civilizations have advanced cities, complex institutions, specialized workers, record keeping, and advanced technology. The Sumerian civilization in Ur exhibited these traits and was notable for developing the first irrigation systems, libraries, written contracts, laws, and literature like the Epic of Gilgamesh. Life in Ur revolved around agriculture, trade, and a polytheistic religion centered on temples called ziggurats.

2. What is Civilization? 5 characteristics: Advanced cities Complex institutions Advanced technology Specialized workers Record keeping

3. CIVIL ization C ities; advanced I nstitutions; complex ad V anced technology I ndividual jobs (specialized workers) L iterate (record keeping)

4. The First Civilizations The Neolithic revolution allowed people to settle down in one place Villages grew into cities and complex societies emerged Religion developed People took on specific occupations (specialization) Farmer Priest Craftsman Administrator, etc.

5. Ur Bronze Age civilization Located in Mesopotamia Modern day Iraq Population: 30,000 Around 3000 B.C.E. Ur

6. Sumerian Firsts 1 st irrigation system 1 st libraries 1 st written contract 1 st written laws (Code of Hammurabi) 1 st literature (Epic of Gilgamesh) 1 st effective use of wheel

8. Ziggurat farming Lower & middle class homes Central city (homes of priests & royalty)

9. The King The Governors The Aristocracy The Peasantry Social and political organization: The King : had military powers. The Governors : governed the territories of the kingdom. Were generals and judges at the same time. The aristocracy : Were priests and traders. The peasants : People who work the land.

10. Life in Ur Irrigation & specialized agricultural workers lead to food surpluses Government officials supervised and planned irrigation and harvests Artisans such as bronze workers, potters, and textile workers produced items for trade

11. Trade in Ur People in the city’s bazaar (marketplace), bartered for different items {no Sumerian money} Scribes (people who could write) used cuneiform to record complex trades

12. Sumerian Religion Polytheist Religious life centered around giant temple or ziggurat Animal sacrifices Each city focused on one particular god