Among the lost civilizations, the Sumerian civilization is the most amazing and mysterious. This is made possible by Zachariah Sitchin's book "Chronicles of the Earth", in which the author believes that the Sumerian civilization was created by Anunnaki people from extraterrestrials. These aliens came to Earth, created humans through genetic modification, and used them as labor to exploit Earth's resources. The Anunnaki brought advanced technology and culture with them and became the founders of Sumerian civilization. These magical descriptions cast a veil of mystery over the Sumerian civilization. This time, I will share with you the charm of Sumerian civilization with a scientific and objective attitude.
According to archaeological and historical research, the Sumerian civilization was born in the region of Mesopotamia, about 5000 B.C., in present-day southeastern Iraq. It is one of the oldest civilizations in the world, where people settled and developed a thriving agriculture using the abundant water resources and fertile soil. Over time, these farming tribes gradually merged to form an urban society. So let's take a look at what is the charm of the Sumerian civilization?
One of the charms of the Sumerian civilization is reflected in its educational field, especially the fact that they founded the world's first schools. These schools were called "School of Scribes" or "Edúba", which means "House of Clay Tablets". These schools consist of a passage and two houses, the larger houses have four rows of stone benches that can seat about 45 people, and the smaller houses have three rows of stone benches that can seat about 20 people. Although there were no lecture podiums, archaeologists have found many clay tablets with cuneiform scripts, which were most likely student assignments or teaching materials. The existence and size of the school shows that the Sumerians were aware of the importance of systematic education for social and cultural development.
The charm of the Sumerian civilization lies in its original cuneiform script, which originated around 3200 BC and is one of the earliest writing systems of mankind. The text consists of wedge-shaped symbols, which are first engraved on wet clay tablets and then hardened and preserved.
It was created to demonstrate the Sumerian people's ability to think and innovate and meet their needs for recording and disseminating information. Cuneiform script evolved from pictorial symbols to complex ideographic systems, and was widely used in the religious, legal, and commercial fields of Sumerian civilization, as a tool for communication, cultural inheritance, and knowledge accumulation, so that valuable knowledge could be transmitted.
In addition, cuneiform has had a profound impact on other ancient civilizations and modern studies, providing writing inspiration and research materials for a deeper understanding of Sumerian civilization and human history.
The Sumerian legal system is one of the earliest written codes in human history, originating around 2500 BC. These laws were recorded in detail on clay tablets, providing valuable information for future generations to study the ancient legal system.
A legal document called the Code of Your-Nammu is considered one of the earliest written codes in human history, dating back to around 2100 BC. The Code consists of about 30 legal provisions covering all aspects of social life, including family relations, land ownership, slavery, crime and punishment.
The Code of Your-Nam embodies the Sumerian importance of social order and justice. In this code, the code of conduct and ethics that people of different social status should abide by are clearly defined. For example, no stealing, no fraud, respect for parental authority, etc. These provisions provided a stable foundation for the society of the time, reducing social conflict and chaos.
The Code of Your-Nam also embodies the Sumerian protection of private property rights. In this code, the ownership and use rights of land and property, as well as the procedures and conditions for transfer, are clearly defined. These regulations guarantee the fairness and transparency of land transactions and promote the smooth conduct of economic transactions and commercial activities.
The Code of Urnham also provides detailed provisions on the penalties for criminal acts. For example, penalties and fines are provided for crimes such as theft, assault and fraud. These punishments not only maintain social security and order, but also reflect the Sumerian people's respect for justice and the law.
The Sumerians developed a system of numbers based on 60, the hexagesimal system. This numerical system is still used today in the measurement of time, such as hours, minutes, and seconds, as well as in the measurement of angles, such as degrees and minutes. The development of the sexagesimal system is most likely related to their astronomical observations, as 60 is divisible by many small digits such as etc., which makes it very flexible in representing astronomical periods.
The Sumerians developed multiplication tables and used these tables for complex arithmetic. They are also able to do division operations, which are very important in business transactions and land allocation. In addition, they have mastered the methods of solving linear and quadratic equations.
In terms of geometry, the Sumerians were able to calculate the area of rectangles, triangles, and trapezoids. They may also have learned the concept of pi, although they didn't calculate its value exactly. In addition, they have demonstrated great skills in land surveying and architectural design.
The Sumerian wheel is a very important invention, dating back more than 5,000 years. It was invented by the Sumerians around 3200 BC. The advent of the wheel has dramatically changed the way of life and technological progress of human beings.
The Sumerians, perhaps inspired by the making of potter's wheels, began to apply the wheels to means of transport. The use of wheels has made it easier for humans to carry heavy loads and has increased transportation efficiency. Over time, the design and manufacturing process of wheels has been improved to make them more suitable for different transportation needs.
The invention of the wheel also led to the advancement and development of other technologies, such as the manufacture and use of vehicles. These vehicles may have initially been pulled by human or animal power, but have since evolved into more advanced mechanical vehicles.
The wheel of Sumerian civilization is an epoch-making invention that has had a profound impact on the progress and development of human society.
The Sumerian civilization was located in the lower reaches of two river basins, the Tigris and the Euphrates, which provided the Sumerians with valuable water resources. However, due to the region's dry climate and scarce rainfall, the Sumerians had to develop an effective irrigation system to ensure the growth of crops.
They diverted the river by digging canals, building reservoirs and dams, ensuring that the flow was evenly distributed across the farmland. These canals often branch off from the main channel and run along the edge of the farmland, forming an intricate irrigation network. Reservoirs are used to store river water to provide irrigation water during dry seasons or when water is scarce.
In addition to the irrigation system, the Sumerians also used plows for deep ploughing. This type of farming helps to improve the soil structure, increase the permeability and water retention capacity of the soil, and thus increase the fertility of the land. Deep tillage also mixes organic matter and nutrients into the soil, providing richer nutrients to crops.
These agricultural techniques and practices of the Sumerians not only provided themselves with a stable food** and economic base, but also had a profound impact on later civilizations. Their irrigation system and farming technology provided valuable experience and inspiration for later agricultural development, and became an important milestone in the history of human agriculture.
According to the available historical sources, the Sumerians began to establish cities around 5000 BC, which may have originally developed from small villages or settlements.
Sumerian cities often had defenses such as walls and moats to protect the city from invasion by foreign enemies. Inside the city walls are densely populated residential and commercial areas, with shops and busy trading on the streets. In the center of the city, it is often important public buildings such as temples and palaces, which are not only large in scale but also beautifully decorated, showing the Sumerians' high level of architectural skills.
Sumer's urban civilization was not only remarkable in terms of architecture, but also unique in terms of urban planning and social institutions. They created a temple-centered urban planning model that not only made the layout of the city more rational, but also highlighted the importance of the temple in the city. In terms of social institutions, the Sumerians established the world's first written record system, cuneiform, which was used to record and manage urban life. In addition, they have enacted codes and laws to regulate social behavior and maintain social order.
Famous cities in Sumer include Uruk, your, Kish, etc. Uruk was one of the earliest cities in the Sumerian civilization and one of the most prosperous at the time. The city has a well-developed handicraft industry and commerce, as well as magnificent temples and palaces. Your, on the other hand, was one of the famous cities of the Middle Sumerian Civilization, famous for its fine art and lavish tombs. Kish, on the other hand, was one of the important cities of the late Sumerian civilization and was once the capital of the Kingdom of Kish.
The Sumerian King Table, also known as the "Sumerian Ancient Kings Table", is an important historical document that has been handed down in the ancient Sumerian civilization. Written in cuneiform on clay tablets, this royal table lists the kings of Sumerian history and the time of their reigns. It provides us with valuable clues to the history of the ancient Sumerian civilization.
The origin of the Sumerian King Table is not clear, but it is believed that it may have originated in a certain city in Sumer, and then passed down from city to city over time, and was constantly supplemented and modified. The kings in the table are described as divine beings who came down from heaven and often reigned for very long periods of time, far longer than the lifespan of modern humans. This may be because the ancient Sumerians mixed myth and history, deifying certain historically significant monarchs to highlight their importance and status.
In the Sumerian King table, we can see some distinct features. First of all, the reign of the kings in the royal table is usually calculated in thousands of years, which makes the entire royal table look more like a myth and legend than a real historical record. Second, the kings in the royal table were often the patron or presiding deities of a city, reflecting the close religious and political ties of ancient Sumerian cities.
Although the authenticity of the Sumerian King Watch has been debated, it remains an important window into the history of ancient Sumerian civilization. Through this royal table, we can get a glimpse of the religious beliefs, political systems, and historical concepts of the ancient Sumerians. At the same time, some of the information in the Wang Table is also corroborated with other historical documents, providing us with a more comprehensive historical picture.
The reason for the loss of Sumerian civilization is a complex issue that involves many factors. Based on the available information, there may be several reasons:
Foreign Invasions and Internal Conflicts:In the course of its development, the Sumerian civilization was repeatedly invaded by foreign tribes, such as the Akkadians, the Babylonians, etc. These invasions led to the decline and demise of the Sumerian city-states, severely disrupting the development of civilization. At the same time, there were internal conflicts and power struggles between the Sumerian city-states, which further weakened the unity and stability of civilization.
Environmental degradation and resource scarcity:The development of Sumerian civilization depended on the abundant resources of the two river basins, especially water resources. However, with the growth of population and the development of agriculture, the problem of salinization has been exacerbated due to over-cultivation and irrigation, and agricultural production has been seriously affected. In addition, the scarcity and pollution of water resources have also caused great difficulties in the life and economy of Sumerian cities. These environmental problems, together with a lack of resources, exacerbated the decline of Sumerian civilization.
Social unrest and class contradictions:The Sumerian civilization faced social upheaval and increased class contradictions in its later period. The position of the upper classes of society has gradually been consolidated, while the living conditions of ordinary people have not improved, leading to increasing social inequality. This inequality sparked widespread social discontent and unrest, exacerbating the process of collapse of Sumerian civilization.
Cultural Exchange and Integration:Although cultural exchanges have promoted the spread and development of civilization to a certain extent, the Sumerian civilization has also been influenced and impacted by foreign cultures in its exchanges with neighboring civilizations. This cultural exchange and integration may have weakened the uniqueness and cohesion of the Sumerian civilization to a certain extent, and accelerated the process of its decline.