Archeologists notes on Artifacts from Sumer Name Directions

Archeologists’ notes on Artifacts from Sumer Name: _____________ Directions: Complete the archeologists notes on artifacts found in ancient Sumer. You need to write TWO characteristics for each artifact and then WHY that artifact is evidence of that characteristic. One has been done for you, use it as a model and example for the remainder of your responses. Stone Seal Stable Food Supply Characteristic of civilization? __________ Why? This stone seal shows a god pushing a plow which _______________________ was a tool used to till soil and allowed farmers to _______________________ plant more crops easier and quicker. Characteristic of civilization? ___________ Religion This impression was made from a stone seal. It shows two gods. One god has a hand in the shape of a scorpion. The other is using a plow. Couple Sculpture This small statue of a married couple was found in the rubble of a religious shrine. This original statue had eyes made of shells and semiprecious stones. It was probably left at the shrine as a gift to the gods. Clay Sculpture This clay sculpture is believed to be of the goddess Inanna, the deity of fertility. Metal Harness Why? This ____________________ stone seal shows the power of gods in Sumer, _______________________ they are providing the tools needed for a stable food supply. Religion Characteristic of civilization? ___________ Why? Sumerians believed everything was controlled _______________________ by the gods and if they worshiped, praised, and _______________________ devoted themselves to the gods. Government Characteristic of civilization? ____________ Kings were responsible for building and WHY? _____________________ maintaining temples and ziggurats, also chosen _______________________ by the gods Religion Characteristic of Civilization? ___________ Why? This sculpture shows the importance of religion _______________________ and the gods controlling every aspect of Sumerian _______________________ life. Social Structure Characteristic of civilization? ____________ WHY? This statue was crafted by a skilled artisan ______________________________________________ Technology Characteristic of civilization? ___________ This was made in order to make WHY? _____________________ the chariot and the oxen pulling _______________________ the chariot more efficient Characteristic of civilization? ___________ Arts WHY? A skilled metal worker created this artifact ______________________________________________ This electrum (a metal mixture of silver and gold) object lay among the remains of animals in _______________________ the Tombs of Ur. It was most likely used to harness oxen or horses to a chariot for royalty.

Government Characteristic of civilization? ___________ Copper Statue The army was lead by the king and he would WHY? _____________________ Characteristic of civilization? ___________ also ride in a chariot _______________________ This small copper statue shows a Sumerian WHY? Technology Characteristic of civilization? ___________ chariot being pulled by _____________________________ WHY? four donkeys. This kind The invention of the wheel made life in Sumer easier, of chariot was probably ____________________________________________________ travel, warfare and artisan workers all benefited from used by Sumerian _______________________ this technology _______________________ soldiers. Characteristic of civilization? ___________ Kururru Tablet WHY? ___________________________ Government Characteristic of civilization? ___________ This Babylonian kudurru, or _________________ The king as a leader of the government and the black limestone, tablet WHY? _____________________ army would have been praised around the city _______________________ shows the Babylonian king state Marduk-nadin-ahhe (1099 Characteristic of civilization? ___________ arts Characteristic of civilization? ___________ 1082 BC), captioned 'the WHY? avenger of his people' in This was created by a skilled _______________________ cuneiform, holding a bow _____________________________ stone craftsman _______________________ and two arrows as symbols _____________________________ of victory. ___________ Bead Pendant Necklace Social Structure Characteristic of civilization? ___________ This was most likely worn by royalty and members. This pendant necklace WHY? _____________________ of the upper class for people who could afford it. found in the Tombs of _______________________ Ur was created by Religion Sumerian artisans, Characteristic of civilization? ___________ probably to be worn at WHY? banquets and religious To show devotion and honor to _______________________ ceremonies. the gods, elaborate jewelry _______________________ would be worn at ceremonies _______________________ Drinking Tube Characteristic of civilization? ___________ Social Structure WHY? ___________________________ Characteristic of civilization? ___________ This gold drinking straw Only the upper class would attend these banquets and WHY? _____________________ was found in the Royal _________________ use elaborate tools such as this tube. _______________________ Tombs of Ur – it was found near a silver Arts Characteristic of civilization? ___________ mouthpiece bent at an Characteristic of civilization? ___________ WHY? Skilled painters and metal workers would have created angle to be used as a WHY? ________________________ straw and decorated this artifact __________________________________________________________ ___________

Archeologists’ notes on Artifacts from Sumer Placard A On this clay tablet, scribes Characteristic of civilization? Stable food supply from the Temple of Bau Why? Record of grain each family will recorded the amount of barley (a grain) that each of receive the workers and their Characteristic of civilization? Writing families will receive Why? All civs have to have a highly developed language—cuneiform writing Placard B This small statue of a married couple was found in the rubble of a religious shrine. This original statue had eyes made of shells and semiprecious stones. It was probably left at the shrine as a gift to the gods. Placard C Characteristic of civilization ? Religion WHY? Devotional statue in honor of the gods Characteristic of Civilization? Why? God pushing a plow____ Characteristic of civilization? This impression was made from a stone seal. It shows two gods. One god has a hand in the shape of a scorpion. The other is using a plow. Placard D Stable food supply WHY? Religion Depicts two gods Characteristic of civilization? Social Why? shows Structure government OFFICIALS Characteristic of civilization? Government WHY? There was a government with a king and governors This clay seal shows King Ur-Nammu (seated) appointing Hashhamer as one of his governors. The cuneiform inscription on the seal says. “Ur. Nammu, the mighty hero, king of Ur; Hashhamer, the governor, his servant. ”

Characteristic civilization? Technology Placard E Characteristic of civilization? ___________ This small copper statue WHY? New tools and inventions/ wheel/ shows a Sumerian WHY? chariot being pulled by _____________________________ four donkeys. This kind of chariot was probably _____________________________ Characteristic of civilization? Social Structure used by Sumerian Why? Different jobs and classes– military _______ soldiers. Class Characteristic of civilization? ___________ Placard F WHY? ___________________________ Characteristic of civilization? Government _ This bronze statue shows King Ur. Nammu carrying a basket of _________________ WHY? Shows a king and one of his bricks on his head. This probably represents the fact that one of responsibilities the king’s main responsibilities Characteristic of civilization? ___________ was to build and maintain the Characteristic of civilization? Social Structure WHY? temples, even though he didn’t WHY? Shows that the King is in charge actually do the work himself. _____________________________ of the buildings _________ Characteristic of civilization? Social WHY? Indicates class Structure craftsmen and an upper Characteristic of civilization The Arts Why? Creative forms of expression /artisans made gold cups Placard G This gold cup was created by Sumerian artisans, probably to be used at banquets. Those banquets were generally for the members of the upper classes of Sumerian society. Placard H Characteristic of civilization? The Arts ___________ WHY? ___________________________ WHY? All highly civilization have to have This lyre – a stringed _________________ creative forms of expression-- Music musical instrument- was decorated with gold and semiprecious stones. It Characteristic of civilization? Government was found in the tomb of Characteristic of civilization? ___________ a Sumerian queen and WHY? WHY ? It was found in the tomb of a queen her court. __________________________________________________________ and she is part of the government

While watching the video and before you leave today…. . Take out a blank piece of paper: 1. List the 7 characteristics of a civilization. 2. Give one example from Ancient Sumer of each…. . for example: 3. Give an example from modern day society ( America) Ancient Sumer 1. Government : Sumerian Kings were responsible for collecting taxes, laws and the irrigation system 2. _____ : Modern Day Election day was Nov. 6 th where we voted into office new government officials.