Ancient Mesopotamia - The First Civilization
I Can Statements:
- I CAN explain how the geography shaped the civilization of ancient Mesopotamia, including the culture, agricultural products, and types of buildings.
Geography of Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia located in modern day Iraq, in the Middle East.
Look at the maps below to see the location of the civilization.
The land in Mesopotamia was very fertile, which means that the soil was rich, and crops grew really well / easily.
Look at the maps below to see the location of the civilization.
The land in Mesopotamia was very fertile, which means that the soil was rich, and crops grew really well / easily.
Mesopotamia is nicknamed "The Fertile Crescent" because the land was very fertile, and it is shaped like a crescent moon.
How did agriculture (farming) change life in for early humans?
What was life like in Mesopotamia?
Mesopotamia is considered the first civilization. What does that mean?
Main Requirements of a Civilization
* Some, but not all, of these are required for a group of people to be considered a civilization.
1. Government or Organized Leadership
2. Public Works, including: religious buildings (temples & churches), roads, monuments, palaces, etc.
* These are often paid for by TAXES or FORCED LABOR (slaves).
3. Permanent Settlements (cities, towns) and high population
4. Shared Culture (religious beliefs, celebrations, styles of art/music/dress, beliefs about family life)
5. Specialization of Jobs (each person does a different job): Artisans, government, farming, etc.
6. Shared money, calendar, written language
7. Often, trade with other cultures
Start here for your research: Take notes, then make 1-2 quick slides.
1. Government (who is in charge?)
2. Culture (music, art, clothes)
3. Religion
4. Writing
5. Jobs
6. Social Classes
7. Cities / Permanent Settlements
8. Advanced Technology / Science
2. Culture (music, art, clothes)
3. Religion
4. Writing
5. Jobs
6. Social Classes
7. Cities / Permanent Settlements
8. Advanced Technology / Science
Links to learn more about Mesopotamia -Use these for your research:
1. How did civilization lead to writing?
2. Mr. Donn's Website.
3. Ancient Civilizations for Kids
4. Ducksters
5. Hammurabi's Code
2. Mr. Donn's Website.
3. Ancient Civilizations for Kids
4. Ducksters
5. Hammurabi's Code