Unit Reflection Mesopotamia

1. In 2-3 sentences for each topic, summarize what you learned about the following:
a) The domestication of plants and animals

The domestication of plants and animals was the greatest development of the human species after we became bipedal. With domesticated plants and animals early humans could control their food source, and have their food follow them instead of them following their food. Domestication started cattle, crops, and prevented starvation.

b) The transition from hunter-gatherer communities to the first civilizations

The transition of hunter-gathering to first civilizations also increased food supply. With crops to harvest and a surplus of food, the early humans had a more constant diet. This gave them a better method of getting food and an easier lifestyle.

Skulpture of Hammurabi, first ruler of the Babylonian empire

c) Early religion and beliefs

Some things we learned about religion are that all early civilizations in Mesopotamia had a god for every city- state, and that they built large temples and ziggurats to prey to their gods. The people would sacrifice objects, food, servants, and even body parts to the gods, and had holy men and women. We also learned that atheists are those who have no god; monotheists are those who have one god and polytheists were those who believed in many gods.

2. Imagine someone saying to you, "Learning about the Sumerians isn't very
important since they're long gone!" What would you tell them in order to change their mind?

Basically, you could say that all history isn’t important, since most of it is long gone. However, history has created the humans we are today. History has created our customs, beliefs, lifestyles, techniques, inventions, and even ancestors! The Sumerians have developed a small part of our past, and is one of the many steps of the growing of the human species. Therefore, learning about the Sumerians is in a way learning about ourselves, just 2,500 years back in time.


This is a map showing where Mesopotamia is, or the Fertile Crescent.