1. The Geography of Ancient Mesopotamia Chapter 3: Lesson 1

2. The Land Between Two Rivers  The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers; Southwest Asia  Start in the mountains of Turkey and Kurdistan.  Flow through what is now Iraq, southeast to the Persian Gulf

3. Mesopotamia  Mesopotamia- the land between the rivers. Flat Flat Small, scrubby plants Small, scrubby plants  Advantages of the Rivers (HEI) Traveling by boat was easier than by land. Traveling by boat was easier than by land. Currents (flow of river) helped move boats down river. Currents (flow of river) helped move boats down river. Few roads existed Few roads existed

4. Fertile Soil  Mountains: rains and melting snow cause rivers to swell. Currents pick up soil (erosion).  Floodplain: flatlands that border the banks of a river where rivers flood.  Silt- soil left behind by flooding rivers. Silt was fertile, good soil for growing crops. Silt was fertile, good soil for growing crops.

5. The Flood Plain Melting snows and rains form streams and small rivers that erode the soils and carry it down stream Streams combine to form larger streams and rivers as they flow towards the sea When the excess water from the rains and melting snows reach the flat plains, the rivers flood their banks leaving behind the fertile soil known as silt. Rivers flow toward the sea or the mouth of the river. River Source

6. Controlling Water by Irrigation  Crops need right amount of water to thrive. Floods in Mesopotamia usually meant farmers had too much or too little water.

7. Floods and Droughts  Yearly floods were very unpredictable.  Farmers could not predict when to plant their crops.  Drought- Period when not enough rain and snow fall.  Drought is a constant danger in semi-arid climates, like Mesopotamia.

8. Irrigation  About 6000 B.C., farmers built canals to carry water from rivers to the fields.  This type of system is called irrigation.  Irrigation helps keep crops watered and growing.

9. Finding Resources  Mesopotamia had no forests to provide wood.  The region also lacked stone and minerals; metals.  Mesopotamians had few building materials.

10. Mud Houses and Walls  Mesopotamians had few building materials.  Most homes were built from brick and plaster; made from mud.  Mud huts needed to be repaired often and crumbled easily.  Mesopotamia did not have mountain regions, easily invaded, goods often stolen.  Built mud walls around their villages.

11. Finding Resources  Obtained some stone and wood outside of their lands.  Traded for these things because of surplus in grain.  Surplus- having more of a resource than is needed.  These systems eventually led to the creation of a society; people working together at the right times.