Who were the Sumerians?

The Sumerians were a group of people who lived in the southern region of Mesopotamia, known as Sumer, around 4500-1900 BCE. They established city-states and created a sophisticated civilization that laid the foundation for many aspects of modern society.

Contributions of the Sumerians

The Sumerians made several significant contributions to human civilization, including:

• Development of Writing: The Sumerians are credited with the development of the earliest known form of writing, known as cuneiform. This writing system used wedge-shaped symbols pressed into clay tablets and was used for record-keeping, literature, and communication.
• Urbanization: The Sumerians developed the first known urban societies, with complex city-states such as Uruk and Ur. These cities had advanced infrastructure, including temples, palaces, and irrigation systems.
• Legal and Political Systems: The Sumerians established some of the earliest known legal codes, such as the Code of Ur-Nammu and the Code of Lipit-Ishtar. They also developed a complex political system with rulers, priests, and bureaucrats.
• Mathematics and Astronomy: Sumerians made significant advances in mathematics and astronomy, including the development of the sexagesimal system for counting and measuring time, as well as the creation of the first known calendar.

Legacy of the Sumerians

The contributions of the Sumerians had a lasting impact on human history. Many of their innovations, such as writing and urbanization, laid the groundwork for the development of later civilizations in the region, including the Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians. The legacy of the Sumerians can also be seen in modern society, as their innovations in writing, mathematics, and governance have influenced the development of human civilization as a whole.

[Sumerians] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• MesopotamiaSocial Studies • Eighth Grade