Sumerians

Did you know that many things we use every day were invented by the Sumerians thousands of years ago? The Sumerians were one of the earliest civilizations to have ever existed. They lived in Mesopotamia, between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in what is now southern Iraq. The Sumerians were among the first civilizations to enable people to organize themselves into cities and develop them.

Who Were the Sumerians?

The Sumerians were a people who lived in Mesopotamia around 5000 years ago. They were the first to establish city-states and invent writing. For this reason, they are referred to in history books as the “fathers of writing.” The Sumerians sustained their lives through agriculture and grew wealthy through trade.

Sumerian Cities and Ziggurats

The Sumerians established their own city-states. In these cities they built large temples known as “ziggurats.” Ziggurats were massive stepped structures dedicated to the gods. The Sumerians prayed to their gods and made important decisions within these temples. The cities were surrounded by walls and featured orderly streets.

The Invention of Writing: Cuneiform

The Sumerians were the first in the world to invent writing. This writing system is called “cuneiform.” Cuneiform consists of marks inscribed onto clay tablets using small reed styluses. Writing allowed information to be recorded, stories to be told, and trade to become easier. The invention of writing is one of the greatest developments in human history.

Education and Science

The Sumerians opened schools to educate children. In these schools, writing, mathematics, and religious knowledge were taught. They also made advances in scientific fields such as astronomy and medicine. For example, they developed a calendar and attempted to treat illnesses.