Chapter 3 Section 3 Sumerian Achievements

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Chapter 3 Section 3Sumerian Achievements
Computers? Dont think so!!!!!
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Invention of Writing
Cuneiform writing

• What is cuneiform?
• Cuneiform is the worlds first system of writing.
• Sumerians made one of the greatest cultural
  advances in history.
• Used sharp tools called styluses to make
  wedge-shaped symbols on clay tablets.

Stylus and Clay
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Sumerian writing cont.
Scribe
Women could not be scribes

• What are pictographs? They are picture symbols
  used to communicate ideas or words.
• What is a scribe? A scribe is a writer who would
  be hired to keep track of records. They were men
  who went to school to learn to read and write.

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Gilgamesh

• What are epics? Epics are ling poems that tell
  the stories of heroes.
• A famous epic poem was written about Gilgamesh,
  who was a legendary Sumerian king.

Gilgamesh
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Advances and Inventions

• One of the most important developments the
  Sumerians invented was the wheel. What would we
  do if the wheel hand not been invented??????? We
  would be dragging everything!!!!!

Stone Wheel
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The Wheel
Which One Would You Want To Use?
Then
Today
Potters Wheel
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Other Inventions
plow
Chariot
Medicine
Glass jewelry
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More Inventions
Calendar
Musical Instrument the lyre
Mathematical System based On 60
Metal knives
Personal Cylinder seals
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The Arts of Sumer
Mud Brick homes

• What is architecture?
• It is the science of building.
• Kings lived in great palaces.
• The wealthy lived in two story homes with as many
  as 12 rooms.
• Others lived in houses made of mud bricks

Palace
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What is a Ziggurat?
Today!

• A ziggurat is a pyramid shaped temple tower that
  rose above each city.
• City centers were dominated by these temples and
  places of worship.

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The Arts

• Sculptors made statues
• Jewelers made beautiful gold trinkets
• Cylinder seals are Sumers most famous work or
  art. These were carved in stone by people and
  then rolled into wet clay. They were used to sign
  documents or decorate other clay objects.
• People loved music and dance.

Cylinder Seal
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Summary

• The Sumerians greatly enriched their society with
  all their wonderful inventions and love of the
  arts.

Ishtars Gate Entrance to Ancient Babylon