MESOPOTAMIA

Ancient Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia is often considered as the cradle of civilization because it was the

birthplace of writing, agriculture, architecture and new inventions. Many civilizations
flourished there, leaving behind a rich legacy of ancient art and kingdoms. The first
settled communities are found in the northern regions. It’s the period where
archaeologists refer as the transition from Neolithic to Chalcolithic age. Egyptians and
Greeks borrowed cultural and philosophical concepts from Mesopotamia.
Mesopotamia The word 'mesopotamia' comes from the ancient words 'meso', which means
'middle', and 'potamos', which means 'river or stream'. See an old engraving of the city of
Babylon.
The Ziggurat
A massive stone pyramidal structure used as temples typical of major cities of Mesopotamia
Ziggurats are solid structures (without any interior space) made of clay bricks.
The word ziggurat is derived from the

Babylonian ‘ziqqurratu’, meaning ‘mountain
peak’.
The people of this time considered
mountains to be the link between the
heavens and earth. A dwelling place of the
ancient gods.
The purpose of the ziggurat was to get
closer to the ancient gods. It was a major
achievements of Mesopotamian
architecture.
The Ziggurat
The ziggurats were built from 4200 to 2500 years ago and were used by the Sumerians, Babylonians
and Assyrians. The Tower of Babel has traditionally been depicted as a type of ziggurat.
The Ziggurat
Some of these architectural marvels still stand today. (present-day Iraq).
Partially reconstructed facade and the access staircase of the ziggurat. The actual remains of the Neo-Babylonian structure can be seen at the top.
The Wheel/ The Chariot attached to a horse
The ancient Mesopotamian civilization brought forth ground breaking inventions and discoveries which
redefined their way of life. Even though their first settlements lived in primitive homes, the
Mesopotamian people multiplied with time and crossed boundaries to create cities.
The Plow
Mesopotamian people learned to domesticate animals and use them to make daily life easier. They
developed the first plow called the “ard.” The earliest plow was made of wood and was very heavy.
The Sailboat
The first sailboat was a simple, primitive design and aided in trade and commerce. It was initially used
to cross the Tigris and Euphrates rivers for fishing and to explore other areas.
Agriculture
A Mesopotamian relief showing the agricultural importance of the rivers. They were expert in fishing
used the water for day to day washing, drinking and for irrigating plants.
Cuneiform Tablet
Cuneiform tablets are clay lumps used for writing and keeping records of things. Wealth rulers, nobles,
and temples required property records. To indicate to whom, how much and what belonged, were
invented by special signs, pictures. Pictography/ ancient writings with drawings.
Sumerian Ancient Cuneiform writing
Maths
Mesopotamian mathematics was based on a numeric system with a base of 60. And this happens to
be the source of a 60-minute hour, 24-hour day, and 360-degree circle.
Cuneiform Tablet
Administrative Account Concerning the Distribution of Barley and Emmer 3100-2900 BC, The
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Time
The Mesopotamians developed the concept of time, dividing time units into 60 parts. This invention
was useful for astronomical events and helped organize interactions that are part of urban life.
Fragment of a circular clay tablet with depictions of constellations, (Neo-Assyrian).
Astronomy and Astrology
Babylonian astronomers were great at mathematics, they predicted eclipses and solstices. Based on the cycles
of moons, they worked out a 12-month calendar and divided the year into two seasons: summer and winter.
Mesopotamian Cylindrical Seal
A small round cylinder with figurative scenes or written characters etched on its surface. It was used
for rolling an impression onto a 2D surface, mostly clay, it was invented around 3500 BC in southern
Mesopotamia, the cylinder seal was a form of signature, jewellery or amulet.
Cultic Sign late 9th-early 8th century BC, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
The cylinder seal was a special kind of seal that could be rolled instead of stamped. For over 3,000
years, ancient people made and used them. Cylinder seal and modern impression: hunting scene
2250–2150 B.C. Mesopotamia, 2.8 x 1.8 cm. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Cylinder seal from the Old Babylonian period often decorated with human forms or animals
The Code of Hammurabi/ Louvre Museum, Paris
The most important piece of art dated 1754 BC was produced
in the Babylonian period and the earliest law code ever written.
Code of Hammurabi
Hammurabi receiving the laws from the Babylonian god of justice and truth, Shamash
A set of 282 legal codes introduced by an 18th century BCE Babylonian king Hammurabi
The Hammurabi Code was a set of laws

that was given to King Hammurabi by the
god of Justice to offer protection to the most
vulnerable people in the society (i.e.
widows, orphans and children).
Hammurabi’s law of retribution was perhaps
one of the reasons the city of Babylon
flourished for so long. Used for regulating
trade and business transactions.
The punishments were harsh if people didn’t
obey these rules.
The Ishtar Gate
The Ishtar Gate was built by King Nebuchadnezzar II in order to display the power and wealth of his
Empire. It was the eighth gate into the inner city of ancient Babylon (present-day Iraq). The gate was
part of the Walls of Babylon, which was considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
The Ishtar Gate
Robert Koldewey was the archaeologist who did this drawing to show us how a complete and
reconstructed Ishtar Gate would look like.
The Ishtar Gate
The Ishtar Gate was still partially standing when it was uncovered in 1899. Photograph of the Ishtar
Gate of Babylon in situ, taken during the original excavation in 1914.
The Ishtar Gate
It was deconstructed and shipped to Germany, where it was reconstructed in the Pergamon Museum
and today part of this gate can be seen in Pergamon Museum in Berlin, Germany.
Babylonian Relief of the Goddess Ishtar, (19th-18th century BCE) the gate was made in her honour
she was the goddess of fertility, love and war.
Mesopotamian pottery
Pottery in this region started around 6,000 years ago. This example has a geometrical style and is
5000BCE
It is important to note that this period also

corresponds to the earliest use of painted
ornament on pottery vessels.
The pottery of Mesopotamia was not only
known for its application to the practical
usage but also for its repetitive patterns and
geometrical design.
Designs were made on semi wet pottery using tools like metal, shells, teeth, bone, rocks and
sharpened sticks.
Mesopotamia’s pottery was rich in culture and heritage. Potters used various tools to design or
engrave on their works.
Textile
Mesopotamian woman weaving
Textile 10th centaury Hermitage Museum
Board Games
An Ancient Mesopotamian Game Board 13th century BC, via The University of Chicago Oriental
Institute. It was played by two players and is considered the world’s first strategic board game.
Board Games
The board and pieces are based on the tablets found in the city of Ur, one of the most important cities
of ancient Mesopotamia during the excavations in the 1920s by British archaeologist Leonard Woolley.
Its about 4,600 years old and the predecessor of contemporary backgammon.
Links/ Bibliography
https://www.invaluable.com/egyptian-antiquities/sc-043SDTNFXS/
Hammurabi Code of Laws: Meaning, Summary, Examples, and Significance - World History Edu
Ancient Mesopotamia 101 | National Geographic - Bing video
Panel with striding lion | Babylonian | Neo-Babylonian | The Metropolitan Museum of Art (metmuseum.org)

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MESOPOTAMIA

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Ancient Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia is often considered as the cradle of civilization because it was the

The word ziggurat is derived from the

The Hammurabi Code was a set of laws

It is important to note that this period also

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