Civilization Case Study: Ur in Sumer

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CivilizationCase Study Ur in Sumer

• Section 3
• Pgs. 19-23

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• Civilization is
• a limitless multiplication
• of unnecessary necessities.
• Mark Twain
• limitless multiplication?
• unnecessary necessities?

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How Civilization Develops

• Civilization a complex culture with 5
  characteristics
• Advanced cities
• Specialized workers
• Complex institutions
• Record keeping
• Advanced technology

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Villages Grow into Cities

• Advances in technology yield a surplus food
  supply, which allows some people to become
  specialized workers and to trade with other
  villages
• Tools were hoes and plow sticks
• Irrigations systems were developed
• The wheel was invented and sails for boats
• The social structure of early cities becomes more
  complex as Economy grows
• People divided themselves into social classes
• People began to worship gods and goddess that
  they felt would make their crops grow

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What is Civilization

• Civilization first arises in Sumer by the
  following five characteristics
• Advanced cities that are the center of trade for
  that region
• Specialized occupations made possible by a
  surplus food supply
• Artisans skilled workers who make goods by
  hands

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• institutions such as government, religion and an
  economy were established
• Record-keeping systems developed and used by
  professional record keepers
• Scribes professional record keepers
• Cuneiform system of writing
• Why would record keeping and writing be
  important?
• Advanced technology that make life easier and
  work more efficient

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Civilization Emerges in Ur

• Ur, a Sumerian city of 30,000 people, is one of
  the earliest cities to develop a sophisticated
  civilization
• By 3000 B.C., Ur has developed the five
  characteristics of civilization
• Urs people practice a complex religion and
  believe in an afterlife

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Conclusion

• Do we all understand the characteristics and life
  cycle of a civilization?
• Think
• What are the downsides of civilization?

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HOMEWORK

• Read
• Chapter 1.3 Civilization
• SA (Section Assessment)
• Page 23
• 1, 3, 7