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Mesopotamia
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Can you recall what characterizes a civilization?
Groups of people who have their own customs, food supply, social divisions, government, religion & technology. Can you recall what characterizes a civilization?
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What might geography provide for Mesopotamia?
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Where It Began… 3500 B.C. SW Asia Nickname: “The Fertile Crescent”
Fertile = rich soil Crescent = curved shaped The Tigris & Euphrates Rivers run through center of the civilization.
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The “land between the rivers” became known as Mesopotamia.
Today the Fertile Crescent is part of: Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon & Israel. The “land between the rivers” became known as Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia Tigris River Med Sea Euphrates River
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Climate & Rivers Climate was NOT suitable for farming.
Farmers moved south because rivers provided fresh water & fish. Soil was rich/fertile for farming because rivers overflowed their banks regularly.
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Due to irregular rainfall, farmers had to set up irrigation systems.
This allowed a controlled water supply.
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The People The people of Mesopotamia were problem solvers.
Used reeds from marshy areas and mud/straw to create mud bricks. Used for homes & temples.
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Most early people worked as farmers or herders.
They also transported food (surplus) & goods along the rivers.
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City-States & Trade City-State – a city that is an individual unit with its own government & traditions. A city that acts like a state!! Famous City-State Ur (3500 B.C.)
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Due to the surplus food supply, people worked for food and became:
Artisans (craftspeople) Potters & weavers Traders
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Trading allowed Mesopotamians to spread their culture & ideas to other parts of the world.
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