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

• 1. What is cuneiform?
• Cuneiform is the oldest known written
  language.
• 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

• 2. What are pictographs? They are picture symbols
  used to communicate ideas or words.
• 3. 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. Not all people could read or write.

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Gilgamesh

• 4. What are epics? Epics are long 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

• 5. What was one of the most important inventions?
• One of the most important developments the
  Sumerians invented was the wheel. What would we
  do if the wheel had 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. 60 seconds
in one minute. 60 minutes in one hour. 360
degrees in a circle.
Personal Cylinder seals
Not all people could read or write so cylinder
seals were used.
Metal knives
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The Arts of Sumer
Mud Brick homes

• 6. 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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7. What is a Ziggurat?

• A ziggurat is a pyramid shaped temple tower and
  place of worship that rose above each city.
• Sumerian kings claimed to be chosen by the
  gods.
• Each city-state worshipped one god as its
  protector.

Today!
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The Arts

• Sculptors made statues
• Jewelers made beautiful gold trinkets
• 8. What are cylinder seals?
• 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 because
  not all people could read or write.
• 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