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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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 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

9. 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).