1. Aim: How did geography influence the people of the Fertile Crescent?

2. Vocabulary 1) Hierarchy- Systems of ranking people within a society 2) Ziggurat- Pyramid temples dedicated to the chief god or goddess of an ancient Sumerian city-state. 3) Cuneiform- wedge-shaped writing of ancient Sumerians 4) Irrigation- Method of brining water to a field from another place to water crops.

3. Task #1 Complete handout “Sumerians” Be prepared to Share out

4. I-Fertile Crescent A.Geography 1.Stretched from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea 2.Had rich soil and golden wheat fields 3.Region became a crossroad where people and ideas met 4.Flood and Irrigation- Needed to control the Tigris and Euphrates River for survival

5. 1.City-States a)Population from 20,000-250,000 people per city-state. b)By 3000 B.C., Sumerians had 12 city- states c)Ziggurat (temple) erected in each city- state. d)Sumerians were polytheistic-believed in many gods. B-Sumerian Civilization

6. a) Government and Society i.Each city-state ruler responsible for protecting people ii.Hired scribes to collect taxes and keep records b)Each city-state had a social hierarchy i.Ruling Family, leading officials, and priests 2- Sumerian Government

7. 1.Wagon Wheel 2.Arch 3.Potters Wheel 4.Sundial 5.12 month calendar based upon cycles of the moon 6.Umbrella 7.Metal Plow 8.Bronze 4- Sumerian Advances

8. Conclusion: The Sumerians were credited with the invention of many different things, which helped to shape our lives today. – How have we borrowed from and improved upon Sumerian ideas? – What innovations will we be remembered for? – Are we going to be remembered as a greatly advanced society like the Sumerians?

9. Application If someone were to watch a video on our society, what would they list as the major achievements of the 21st century?