2.1 Sumerian Civilization pgs. 22-23

Geography Shem’s descendants migrated along the Tigris and Euphrates River. This land is referred to as Mesopotamia. Greek word: “land between two rivers. Mesopotamia is considered the cradle of civilization. Why do you think that is?

Geography Mesopotamia was apart of a larger region called the Fertile Crescent. (Iraq) Their villages became what we refer to as Sumer. (SOO muhr).

Archaeology Today’s archaeologist use computers to map the area and make calculations. Digging must be done slowly. (Why?) In the 1850s British archaeologists found Mesopotamian artifacts Iraq.

Archaeology Sometimes a dig is determined by the presence of a tell. Tell comes from the Arabic word for “high.”

Archaeology Most archaeologists believe the artifacts were of the Biblical city of Ur. Sir Leonard Woolley began searching the site and successfully uncovered many treasures from Ur and Sumer

Archaeology Objects hidden in the soil tell us about the Sumerians. Ur had high walls, palaces, and plazas. Canals were used irrigate their fields. Some worked with metals, medicine, and the stars

Class Discussion What does the word fertile mean? What was Sumer? What does it take diggers so much time at a site? What archaeologist discovered the ancient city Ur?

WB Pgs. 19-20