1. 3500-2000 B.C. Southern end of the Tigris & Euphrates River (Fertile Crescent)

2. First people known to live in the Fertile Crescent. They farmed and raised cattle Built large cities They invented the arch The Ziggurat a large stepped pyramid temple One of the major cities was called Ur Cities full of tradespeople and artisans SUMERIANS

3. They developed the first written language, a system called cuneiform. The alphabet consisted of about 500 characters, or wedge shaped forms. They studied science and mathematics. Their skills in math were so developed that they created a system for subdividing a day and a year as well as dividing a circle into 360 parts They were skillful in inventing the wheel and vehicles for farming, trade and fighting. SUMERIAN ACCOMPLISHMENTS

4. At the top of the pyramid Kings- treated as gods with great power and wealth Next, nobles, priest, wealthy landowners and government officials. The middle class was made up of merchants, farmers, tradespeople, and soldiers. The lowest and largest group Slaves! SUMERIAN HIERARCHY