When we talk about human history, there is no place more important than the land
between the two rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates (Mesopotamia), which is now
known as the country of Iraq. There, more than 5,000 years ago, is where the Sumerian
civilization emerged, which changed the world.
1. The Writing Revolution: Cuneiform
As a student studying the science of languages (Linguistics), I see the greatest
achievement of the Sumerians as the invention of writing. They started with small
drawings (Pictographs), but they changed them into a complex system known as
Cuneiform.
Why was it the reason they invented it? Initially, they did not use it for literature, but
they used it to record trade, taxes, and the number of livestock.
What is its impact on the world today? If the Sumerians had not started writing, today
we would not have reached books, the internet, or the science we are learning. We can
say it was the beginning of the art of writing.
2. The First City-States
The Sumerians did not have a kingdom unified and ruled from one place, but they had
independent city-states, and they were city-state governments such as Ur, Uruk, and
Lagash. Every city had a large temple called a Ziggurat, which was built in a pyramid-
like shape but with a flat top. Each also had its own unique system.
3. Science and Mathematics
Did you know that the watch you wear has roots in the Sumerians? They invented the mathematical system based on 60 (Sexagesimal system).
That led to:
● A minute becoming 60 seconds.
● An hour becoming 60 minutes.
● A circle being divided into 360 degrees.
Conclusion
The Sumerian civilization was not just a history that ended, it was the foundation of the
life we live in today. As a teacher and a student, studying these people shows us how
human creativity can change the world.
Glossary
Cuneiform: was the first script invented by the Sumerian kingdoms.
Mesopotamia: was the name for the area between the two rivers, Tigris and Euphrates,
which is today the country of Iraq.
Sumerians: were the first kingdoms in the world that existed 5,000 years ago.
Have you heard of this kingdom before?
What did you understand?
Share with us another civilization you would like us to talk about.
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