LO: Students will learn about ancient Mesopotamia & cryptograms through a visual study

Mesopotamia One of the earliest settled civilizations on the plains between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

Mesopotamia - Present day Iraq

Ancient Mesopotamia The beginning of civilization as we know it. The birthplace of the written word as well as complex agriculture (farming), written laws, organized religion, science and war. Archaeology also has revealed that around 3500 B.C., the world's first cluster of cities arose in lower Mesopotamia.

Hatra

Hatra: Well-planned, elegant city built around three large temples; flourished from 400 B.C. to 300 A.C.

* the world's first written language * CUNEIFORM WRITING Wedge shaped characters used in the ancient writing system of Mesopotamia. Cuneiform was usually pressed into clay tablets. * the world's first written language *

Cuneiform Writing Tablets Sumerians created cuneiform script over 5000 years ago. Sumer was a civilization that represented the southern half of Mesopotamia. The Sumerians recorded their myths, epic stories, history, prices of commodities and all other transactions on clay tablets. Heartland of Sumer

A Babylonian tablet from 87 B. C. E A Babylonian tablet from 87 B.C.E. reports the arrival of the comet now known as Halley.

In its first stages, cuneiform writing was based on pictographs, over time this system changed into symbols based on straight lines. Eventually they lost their original resemblance to the objects they represented. In its latest stages, cuneiform signs became alphabetic signs.

A gold tablet showing cuneiform writing in Old Persian, Elamite & Babylonian, telling about King Darius I.

Project: Alphabet Cryptogram

Cryptogram

A text written in code with a secret significance. Cryptogram A text written in code with a secret significance.

Project: Alphabet Cryptogram • Inspired by cuneiform writing, you will turn the alphabet letters of your name into your own unique alphabet.

Project: Alphabet Cryptogram • Inspired by cuneiform writing, you will turn the alphabet letters of your name into your own unique alphabet. • Make sure that each symbol you make is different from one another.

Project: Alphabet Cryptogram • Inspired by cuneiform writing, you will turn the alphabet letters of your name into your own unique alphabet. • Make sure that each symbol you make is different from one another. • Each symbol should not be too obvious or resemble the letter it is trying to replace!!

Cryptogram A L P H A B E T

Describes the feeling that all the elements in a work belong together. Unity Describes the feeling that all the elements in a work belong together.

Emphasis The focal point in a work of art. It is when the artist makes part of the work stand out. Frequently, emphasis is achieved by means of contrast. * Emphasis is a design principle

Which of these demonstrates emphasis? How was it achieved?

Which of these demonstrates emphasis? How was it achieved? Contrast & LINE WEIGHT !!!!

Emphasis LINE WEIGHT

Which of these demonstrates stronger emphasis? How?

A wash is a technique resulting in a semi-transparent layer of color. What was added to the paint to get the semi transparent layer of colors?

A wash combined with drawing is called one of the following: - pen and wash - wash drawing - ink and wash

Wash Why do you think we are tearing the edges of our paper?

*Remember that the Sumerians recorded their myths, stories, history, etc…on clay tablets. We are tearing our edges organically to create the appearance of an aged and weathered tablet.