UR IN SUMER

Villages Grow Into Cities

What led to the growth of villages? Began to build elaborate irrigation

systems Created food surplus Allowed branching out of jobs (pottery, metal

objects, and woven cloth) Trade begins to flourish

The sail and the wheel

Social Changes

Increased need for labor on certain jobs Formation of social classes More organized religion

Change in beliefs Began to believe in gods that would control

agriculture

What is Civilization?

Complex culture with 5 characteristics Advanced cities Specialized workers Complex institutions Record keeping Advanced technology

Advanced Cities

Large group of people living together Center for a larger area Depended on trade

City was hub for this

Specialized Workers

Branching out to other occupations Specialization

Some became artisans Skilled workers who make goods by hand Helped cities become center for trade

Complex Institutions

Gov’t becomes necessary Maintain order and establish laws

Institution A long-lasting pattern of organization in a

community Religion becomes institution Temples become center of religion, gov’t, and

economy

Record Keeping

Gov’t officials would Document tax collections Passage of laws Storage of grain

Merchants would Record debts and payments

Sumerian scribes invent Cuneiform Stylus (Reed) and moist clay

Beginning of Sumer = beginning of written history

Advanced Technology

Farmers begin to use power of animal and nature Plowing the ground Irrigation systems

Artists Invent the potter’s wheel Made bronze from copper and tin (Bronze Age)

“Ur”

One of earliest cities in Sumer Along Euphrates River (Iraq)

Had advanced agriculture Like?

People live in small one-story houses Artisans begin to work full time

Why is this important?

Trade and Religion

Had a market place Buy things with grain, barley, etc. (Barter

system) Had Ziggurats

Huge temples surrounded by wall Conduct rituals to worship the cities gods Sacrifices are sometimes made Storage area for food surplus, fabrics, and

gems