INTRO TO MESOPOTAMIA

IMPORTANCE OF IRRIGATION

READ THE PARAGRAPH AND FILL IN THE BLANKS

Last chance to get it right; today we start a new unit on our first civilization. There are 3 different time periods that we have talked about so far. _______________________ is the time before writing – this is when Lucy and the other early ____________________ lived. The Australopithecus evolved into “Handy Man” a hominid that used tools. This was the start of the Paleolithic Age, also called the _______________________. Once the first seed was planted, in ____________________, people realized that the life of a farmer was much safer and easier. That brings us to 3,000 B.C.E. – the rise of the first civilization.

FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A HUNTER-GATHERER

You are a hunter-gatherer. You really want to change your life, settle down, and stay in one place. What kind of land will you choose? List three geographic features you’re looking for.

1. _____________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________

4. _____________________________________________

LAND BETWEEN 2 ______________Rivers

LETS GET TO LABELING

Euphrate

s

Tigris

Red

Sea

Persian Gulf

Mediterranean Sea

Mesopotam

ia

BEFORE READING

Disadvantage

____________________________________________________________________________

Advantage __________________________________________________________________________

POST-READING

•Why did nomads choose to settle down to farm in Mesopotamia?

_______________________________________________________ 

•What was irrigation used for?________________________________________________________ 

•What is the name of the two rivers?_________________________________________________________

CIVILIZATION

GEOGRAPHY CHALLENGE

MESOPOTAMIA WAS CALLED “THE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION.”

Civilization= a group of people that share six major characteristics:

1. Political Structure2. Economy3. Religion4. Social Structure5. Intellectual Achievements6. Culture

PERSIC QUESTIONS

PERSIC Questions Proof that New Jersey is a Civilization

Political structure: How is order created in

society? Who makes the laws? What kinds of laws are

made?

Citizens elect a government.Elected legislature makes laws.

Economy: How do people earn

their money? What do people choose

to do with their money?

Most citizens have jobs. People spend or save their money in a bank.

PERSIC QUESTIONSPERSIC Questions Proof that New Jersey is a

Civilization

Religion: What do people believe

about god/gods? What are the sacred

(holy) texts people use to define their beliefs?

Social structure: Which people have the

most power, money, and respect in society?

Which people have the least power, money, and respect in society?

People who are elected to the gov’t or have a lot of money, Celebrities, educated peoplePeople who don’t have much money

PERSIC QUESTIONS

PERSIC QUESTIONS Proof that New Jersey is a Civilization

Intellectual Achievements: What advances in

science and mathematics has society made?

What kinds of technology do people use?

Internet, cell phones 

Culture: How do people express

themselves through art, music, and literature?

What types of food and clothing are common in society?

Brass bands, paintings, parades, novels.. Etc!