Mesopotamian Advancements, Achievements, and Architecture
Advancements and Achievements
- Developed the worlds first writing system Cuneiform (pictured above)
- Used sharp tools to make wedge-shaped symbols in clay tablets
- Scribes would use cuneiform to keep records
- A crucial development was the creation of the wheel
- The plow was created to be pulled by ox or cows to break through the hard clay soil
- Sewer systems under the streets was more sanitary and nicer for daily life
- Tools were made from bronze
- Developed a number system based on the number 60
- They used lots of ingredients from animals, plants, and minerals to produce healing remedies
- Jewelry was made from gold, silver, and beautiful gems
- Cylinder seals had designs engraved on them that when rolled on a flat piece of clay would create beautiful designs
- The Lyre was a musical interment created by the Sumerians to play beautiful music for kings in their temples
Architecture
- Many Sumerian rulers lived in large palaces
- Upper class Sumerians lived in two-story homes with up to 12 rooms
- Most common people lived in one story houses that had six to seven rooms arranged around a courtyard
- These houses were constructed mainly from bricks made of mud
- Ziggurats where pyramid shaped buildings that had stair cases ascending to the top of the structure