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Assignment 5

The document discusses the major cities of Mesopotamia, notable Sumerian gods, and the development of cuneiform writing. It highlights the structured society of Mesopotamia and its innovations, including Hammurabi's Code. Additionally, it covers artifacts from various civilizations, such as the Rosetta Stone and seals from the Indus Valley, emphasizing their significance in understanding early cultures.

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Assignment 5

The document discusses the major cities of Mesopotamia, notable Sumerian gods, and the development of cuneiform writing. It highlights the structured society of Mesopotamia and its innovations, including Hammurabi's Code. Additionally, it covers artifacts from various civilizations, such as the Rosetta Stone and seals from the Indus Valley, emphasizing their significance in understanding early cultures.

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pgnordce3
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Cities of Mesopotamia: The major cities in Mesopotamia were Ur, Babylon, Lagash,
and Nineveh. These cities were bustling centers of culture, trade, and religion. Babylon,
in particular, was famous for its Hanging Gardens, one of the Seven Wonders of the
Ancient World.
Sumerian Gods: The Sumerians had a rich pantheon of gods, each associated with
different aspects of life. Some of the most important ones were:
 Anu: God of the sky and the supreme god.
 Enlil: God of wind, air, and storms.
 Enki: God of water, wisdom, and creation.
 Inanna: Goddess of love, beauty, and fertility (also associated with war and
justice).
Writing: The Sumerians are credited with developing one of the first systems of writing,
called cuneiform, around 3500 BCE. They used a reed stylus to make wedge-shaped
impressions on clay tablets. Cuneiform was initially used for record-keeping and
administrative purposes but later expanded to include literature, like the Epic of
Gilgamesh.
Life of People: In Mesopotamia, society was structured in a hierarchy with the king at
the top, followed by priests, scribes, merchants, and farmers. Most people lived in rural
areas, working as farmers, while a smaller portion lived in cities as traders, artisans, or
priests. Religion played a significant role in daily life, with temples serving as centers for
worship and governance.
Interesting Fact about Mesopotamian Civilization: Mesopotamia is often called the
"Cradle of Civilization" because it was the birthplace of many innovations that influenced
future societies, such as the wheel, the plow, and the first known legal code,
Hammurabi's Code. This code of laws, created around 1754 BCE, established rules for
justice and fairness and was one of the earliest examples of written law in history.

Identify the Artefacts of Different


civilizations and write about them
The Rosetta Stone
Hieroglyphics were a mystery until the
Rosetta Stone was uncovered. The
three foot tall and two foot wide stone
was discovered near the Rosetta mouth of the Nile in 1799.
It is called the Rosetta Stone because it was
discovered in a town called Rosetta (Rashid).

Roman inscriptions, carved on stone or metal to


communicate information and record keeping. They have
text in Latin or Greek and conveyed details about public
works, legal matters and individual achievements.

The Indus Script combined both word signs and symbols


with phonetic value. This type of writing system is known
as "logo-syllabic", where some symbols express ideas or
words while others represent sounds.
These are the 3 famous seals of Indus valley civilization. –
The Unicorn Seal: The unicorn seal represents a mythological animal.
The Pashupati Seal: This seal depicts a yogi, probably Lord Shiva. It shows that
Shiva was worshipped and he was considered as the Lord of animals (Pashupati).
The Bull Seal: This seal depicts a humped bull of great vigour. It shows the artistic
skill and a good knowledge of animal anatomy.

Can you identify these seals? Mention the civilization they belongs to:

_ Egyptian civilization
Mesopotamian Civilization_

The Egyptians were one of the first cultures in the


world to create pottery.

The Indus Valley pottery


consists chiefly of very fine
wheel made wares, very few being hand-made.

Roman pottery represents both the utilitarian and


artistic aspects of daily life in ancient Rome.

The Priest-King statue is a famous


sculpture from the Indus Valley Civilization that depicts a bearded
man

The Shabti figures from Egyptian civilization


Terracotta army – A timeless wonder of Chinese civilization

Assignment 5

River Valley Civilizations

1.____Egyptian _______civilization - ____ Nile] _______ river valley


[Egyptian , Nile]
2_________ Mesopotamian ___ civilization - ___________ Tigris &
Euphrates ______________ Valleys .
[Mesopotamian , Tigris &
Euphrates]
3____ Indian ____ civilization - _____ Indus ________ river valley
[Indian , Indus]
4________ Chinese ___ civilization _____ Huang He ________ _ valley
[Chinese , Huang He]

Q1. Fill in the blanks:


The Egyptians were one of the first cultures to create pottery.
b) The Unicorn Seal, The Pashupati Seal, and The Bull seal are the important seals
of the Indus Valley Civilization.
c) The Mesopotamian civilization was gradually replaced by the Persian civilization.
d) The Priest-King statue is a famous sculpture from the Indus Valley Civilization.

Q2.Why did all the great civilizations develop and flourish near the river
valleys?
Great civilizations developed near river valleys because -
 rivers provided essential resources like water for drinking,
agriculture, and transportation.
 Fertile soil from annual flooding supported crop growth,
ensuring food security.
 Rivers also enabled trade and communication, fostering
cultural exchange and the growth of cities and complex
societies.

Q3. Describe ‘The Rosetta Stone’ in your own words.


The Rosetta Stone is a large stone slab featuring inscriptions in three
scripts: Greek, Demotic, and hieroglyphic. Discovered in 1799, it was
key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs, unlocking the understanding
of ancient Egyptian language and culture.

Q4. What do the artefacts teach us about the life of people in early civilizations?
1. Artefacts from early civilizations offer valuable insights into daily life,
culture, technology, and beliefs.
2. They reveal details about social structures, craftsmanship, trade, religious
practices, and technological advancements.
3. Through items like tools, pottery, and sculptures, we learn about the values,
economy, and lifestyles of ancient societies.

Q5. What did all civilizations have in common? Mention any 4 points.
1) Complex Social Structures – Organized systems of hierarchy, including leaders,
workers, and artisans.
2) Agriculture – Dependence on farming for food production.
3) Written Language – A system for communication, record-keeping, and law.
4) Religious Beliefs – spiritual practices that influenced culture and governance. These
common elements helped civilizations grow and thrive.

Q6. What were the materials used to make the seals?


Seals in ancient civilizations were primarily made from materials like steatite (soapstone),
carnelian, ivory, and clay. These materials were durable and suitable for carving intricate
designs and inscriptions.

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