Sumer - The First Civilization

1. Where was Sumer located?

2. What does Mesopotamia mean?

3. Why did the Mesopotamians chose this spot to settle?

4. How did the Sumerians turn sun baked mud flats into lush green fields?

5. Name five characteristics of a civilization.

6. What did the people of Sumer believe about their kings?

7. Describe a typical Sumerian house. Details please!

8. To where did merchants from Sumer travel?

9. What did they trade?

10. What was used in place of lumber?

11. What did people use as their signatures?

Life in the City

1. Where did Sumerians shop? For what did they shop?

2. Why did people gather in the public square?

3. What did Sumerians fear?

4. What were the streets like? Why?

5. What did the men and women of Sumer wear?

6. Name three technological break through of the Sumerians.

7. Why was the first known wheeled cart such an important advancement?

8. What is a bulla? How was it used?

9. What is a barter system? (see Division of Labor)

Temples to Heaven

1. Name the three creators according to Sumerian religion.

2. What importance did the temple play in daily life?

3. What role did priests play/? What four things did they control?

4. How did Sumerians ensure a long and prosperous life?

5. What are ziggurats? Describe one.