The Sumerians were an ancient civilization between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in the Fertile Crescent of Mesopotamia. They are known for their innovations in language, governance, architecture, and more, which led to the creation of civilization as we know it today. Their region’s control lasted about 2,000 years before the Babylonians started taking over. Moreover, Sumerian culture heavily influenced the development of the Babylonian and Assyrian civilizations.
What Is Sumerian Civilization?
The Sumerian civilization was located in present-day Iraq. It is one of the oldest civilizations in the world, and some of its famous landmarks include the ancient city of Ur and the ziggurat temples.
Sumerian culture is characterized by its cuneiform writing, which records religious and legal texts. Sumerian art is also known for its intricate designs and vivid colors.
The Sumerian civilization flourished from the fourth millennium B.C. until the third millennium B.C., but it eventually fell victim to conquest by the Akkadian and Babylonian civilizations.
Where Did Sumerians Come From?
The Sumerian civilization was located in southern Mesopotamia, now modern-day Iraq. The Sumerians are considered one of the oldest civilizations in the world and played an essential role in the development of Mesopotamian culture.
Some scholars believe that the Sumerians may have originated from the neighboring region of Iran. In contrast, others suggest they may have come from farther north in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). However, there is no definitive answer as to where the Sumerians originated.
Do Sumerians Still Exist?
Following the Amorites and Babylonians taking over Mesopotamia during the 2nd millennium B.C., the Sumerians slowly lost their culture and were no longer an actual political power. The fundamental knowledge of their history, language, technology and even their name was lost. Their secrets were buried within the deserts of Iraq until the end of the 19th century, when French and British archaeologists finally discovered Sumerian artifacts to find evidence from the prehistoric Assyrians.
Sumerian Culture And Art
The Sumerian civilization is famous for its art and culture. Here is the list of some of its cultural art:
- The Sumerians are best known for their writing system, which is still used today.
- They also developed the first city-states, which helped to form the first civilizations.
- Some of the most famous Sumerian artifacts are the statues of the gods from the city of Ur.
- The Sumerians are also well known for their music and poetry. They had a system of scales and used chords and thirds, among other bits of knowledge. They played lyres, harps, and lutes and later used drums and wind instruments.
- Some of the most famous Sumerian sculptures are the statue of the goddess Inanna from Ur and the statue of King Urukagina from Lagash.
- The Sumerian civilization is best known for its writing system, which is still used today.
- The Sumerians developed the first city-states, which helped to form the first civilizations.
- Sumerian art is characterized by its geometric designs and the use of color. Some of the most famous Sumerian artifacts are the statues of the gods from the city of Ur.
The Sumerians’ Religion
The Sumerians were the first people to practice a polytheistic religious system that included anthropomorphic gods representing terrestrial and cosmic forces within their realm. The first Sumerian writings from 3000 BC list four main gods: An, Enlil, Ninhursag, and Enki.
Conclusion
The Sumerian civilization was located in southern Mesopotamia, now modern-day Iraq. The Sumerians are considered the first writing people, and archaeologists still use their cuneiform script worldwide. Some of the most famous artifacts from the Sumerian civilization are the clay tablets found at Ur, which contain information on astronomy, mathematics, law, and religion.
