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Sumerian Culture

            While researching Sumerian culture I learned many interesting facts that I did not know before. If people knew little facts about Sumer it would change the way people looked at other ancient societies. Many advances that were not attributed to sumeria, were often pioneered by this advance culture. Most people don't even know much about the origin of the Sumerian culture.
             Sumer, like most early middle-eastern nations, was in the Fertile Crescent. These small waterways provided an excellent an irrigation and transportation system. Sumer was one of the first large civilizations that had a very developed textile industry.
             Wool sheared from goats and sheep was made into garments.
             The usage of linen was reserved only for the high priest and other dignitaries. Flax and wool was used for every one else. Farming was also a very predominant industry in summer. All of the mixed culture taught the Sumerians about many different farming methods. Sickles and other tools aided in the farming. The harvested grain was preserved in granaries and pots. This allowed grain to be shipped without spoiling or molding. All of the waterways in Sumer allowed products to be shipped up and down river destinations.
             Transportation methods increased in efficiency and new types of them arrived during the Sumerian rule, for instance, more types of boats were invented. They also introduced the sail to the world of travel. The wheel was also first implemented in the Sumerian nation. When these advanced forms of transportation were not available, people still used donkeys strapped to the sides. Iron working was used to create tools that aided the growth of their economy.
             Sumer did not have an official religion. They still worshiped many gods. There was a god for each aspect of life and for each city-state. Sumerians were pessimistic. They believed that when people died they went down to an eternally silent dark world. They built giant temples called ziggurats, to worship their gods.


Essays Related to Sumerian Culture

1. Sumerian Society

... the early writings came from the scriptures of the various societies. These writings explained there religion, social values, and government. In the Mesopotamian civilizations, the Sumerian society was the first highly advanced culture because of their advanced technology and impact on other cultures to come. They were the first of the ancient civilizations, and impacted the development of the other ... king's power, and the assembled army had to ratify his succession to the throne. The smelting of iron was a great technological advance, which helped the other neighboring societies. Cul...

  • Word Count: 1573
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: High School

2. The Sumerian People

... an Akkadian king conquered the city-states. Their first ruler was Sargon I, who controlled almost the entire region by himself. The Sumerian culture and economy still lived on in this new empire, but the way of life that was once known, was gone. This was the ... obviously already skilled in art via their ziggurats, created statues and sculptures throughout their city-states. They also created temples for their gods. Sumerian people were very interested in the sun, and vowed to learn more about it, thus founding astronomy. The Sumerians developed a form of ... the sophisticated astrono...

  • Word Count: 2641
  • Approx Pages: 11
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

3. The Sumerian Standing Female Worshiper

The object I have chose for this paper is Standing Female Worshiper(figure 1). This is a small votive figure from the Sumerian time period. The statue was carved out of limestone and inlaid with shell and lapis lazuli.1 Sumer was located in the ... these cities being formed it led to social hierarchies, with each city having their own governments and gods. The Sumerians were the first culture to invent writing, they are the culture credited with inventing cuneiform. The Sumerians were also polytheistic, meaning they worshiped more than one god.2 This object is a votive figure. The ... to be ...

  • Word Count: 567
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Ancient Civilization - Sumer

... a century. But there was a rise in power of Akkadian speaking semites because of a large influx of Semetic Amorites, people from what is now Syria and Canaan, which stifled a lot of Sumerian culture. The downfall of Sumer was completed because Sumer became difficult to farm. Poorly drained irrigated soils and high evaporation rates resulted in a buildup of salt in the soils, or a high ... wars. During the early ages of Sumer, it was a peaceful civilization. But at the start of the early dynastic era ( around 2900 BCE), Sumer developed into a more warlike culture. This was when Sumerian ci...

  • Word Count: 2356
  • Approx Pages: 9
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

5. "The Origins of Writing in Southern Mesopotamia"

... The Origins of Writing in Southern Mesopotamia" The first evidence of written word was discovered in the Sumerian culture and was created over 5,000 years ago. This time in history has been called the urban ... picture language. The abstract script was in the form of a series of wedges and hooks and the whole symbol would stand for one Sumerian word. When a symbol is represented in such a way this is called ideographic and the word symbols are called ideograms, which means "concept ... 2,500 years after the Third Millennium B.C. the cuneiform system characterized and shaped the ancient ...

  • Word Count: 1388
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Has Bibliography

6. The Sumerians

... B.C. This book is an unparalleled collection of what is know about them. Samuel Kramer's intension, which the book admirably serves, is to provide a comprehensive introduction of the history and culture of Sumer, while avoiding the usual gloss and superficiality that sometimes accompanies similar text. This book can also serve as companion to Kramer's very popular, History Begins at Sumer, by ... (Kramer, 115). The list of me is a rather mystifying and diverse collection that ranges from kingship to troubled heart. Kramer also provides interesting, although deputed, evidence of Biblical b...

  • Word Count: 924
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography

7. The Eshnunna / Tel Asmar Statuettes

... the cache of sculptures discovered reverently buried beneath the floor of the Square temple. Votive figures, statues made as an act of worship to the gods, were common through out Sumerian culture and represent the importance god(s) played in their lives. Understanding the realistic styles that characterize the sculptures, the religious context behind them, and whom the actual individuals portray is ... would have been apart of society. The gestures, poses, circular geometric shapes, and attributes of the men and women portrayed, reveal the symbolic and realistic properties that embodied...

  • Word Count: 1125
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

8. Western Civilization

... creation of their gods, the universe and of man. This essay will discuss the relationship between humans and their gods in three different ancient civilizations: Sumerian, Egyptian and Hebrew. The Sumerians lived in a harsh climate. They were located between two rivers, the Euphrates and the Tigris. The fertile ... as a well ordered system. This resulted in an early sense of nationalism among the Egyptians, which was very different from that of the Sumerian civilization. Due to the expansive geography of Egypt, the people were very spread out. Some tribes settled into Upper Egypt and oth...

  • Word Count: 1353
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

9. Hammurabi

... life. Hammurabi revolutionized the way in which ancient Mesopotamia functioned; he systematically unified small city-states into an empire and he established and recorded law and order. Hammurabi successfully merged Sumerian and Babylonian society and religion, created economic stability and developed irrigation and defense projects. Through these great transformations Hammurabi has shown himself worthy of legendary status. Hammurabi's rule from 1792 ... allowed the Sumerian dialect to be practiced primarily where religion was concerned. He did this mainly to satisfy the people and smooth...

  • Word Count: 1232
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

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