Early River Valley Civilization 3300-1900 BCE Ancient Sumer Early River Valley Civilization 3300-1900 BCE

River Valley Civilization Rivers provided a regular water supply for both humans and animals. Rivers were a means of transportation. Rivers made farming easier. Floodwaters from rivers spread silt across the valleys which kept the soil fertile. Rivers allowed farmers to grow a surplus of food to feed growing populations of early cities.

Sumer: region in southeastern Mesopotamia Fertile Crescent A region of the Middle East named for its rich soil and golden wheat fields Curves from the Persian Gulf to the East coast of the Mediterranean Sea Mesopotamia (land between two rivers) lies between the Tigris and Euphrates Sumer: region in southeastern Mesopotamia

Tigris & Euphrates flooded unpredictably The gods decided to send a great flood. To save Utnapishtim they told him to build a boat. He gave him precise dimensions, and it was sealed with pitch and bitumen. His entire family went aboard together with his craftsmen and "all the animals of the field". A violent storm then arose which caused the terrified gods to retreat to the heavens. The storm lasted six days and nights, after which "all the human beings turned to clay". Tigris & Euphrates flooded unpredictably Often led to catastrophic destruction of mud brick villages and cities

Controlling the Floodwaters Levee in Mississippi Temple priests and royal officials organized villagers to build barriers to hold back the floodwaters. Irrigation ditches were built to carry water to the farmland. Mesopotamian style irrigation canal and ditch

Sumerians build cities Built with clay and water Made bricks out of sun- dried clay Trade along the rivers brought riches to cities like Ur and Uruk Also traded with Egypt and India Ancient City of Ur with Ziggurat Temple

Your turn to explore! At your tables, research a modern-day city along the Tigris OR Euphrates Rivers. The city can be in Iraq, Syria or Turkey. Answer the following questions: 1. How does the river affect the daily lives of the people today? Give one (1) solid example. 2. Describe an event in history that relates to the city and its river valley. Give one (1) solid example.

Located on the Euphrates River An Najaf, Iraq Located on the Euphrates River RIVER VALLEY: In 2009, farmers and fisherman demonstrated…asking the Iraqi Govt. to demand that foreign countries (Turkey) release more water into the Euphrates. Planting rice was banned in Najaf because it requires too much water. HISTORY: During the 2003 invasion of Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom), Najaf was a key target of the invading U.S. forces. The city was captured on April 3, 2003

Map Quiz Short Answer Why are river valleys ideal locations for civilizations to develop? FCAs (Focus Correction Areas) Explain how and why river valleys would assist in the development of a civilization (3 points). Choose one (1) characteristic of civilization and explain how it affected the daily lives of the people in a river valley civilization (2 points).