1. -Quietly, read the 3 articles on the religions of the Middle East in PAIRS, not groups. -Fill in the graphic organizer on religions. -We will take notes over ethnic groups after lunch

3. Ancient Civilizations of North Africa & Southwest Asia - #6
Directions: Fill in your graphic organizer by writing the key information that is in bold.

4. The most advanced stage of human social development and organization
What is a civilization?
The most advanced stage of human social development and organization

5. What do they have in common?

6. Civilizations of Mesopotamia Fertile Crescent, “land between the rivers”

7. Mesopotamia Location:
The Sumerians were among the first societies to develop in this area between the Tigris and the Euphrates Rivers.
Agriculture:
They raised crops year-round.
They made efforts to improve water distribution to the land in order to create more fertile land.

8. Mesopotamia Record Keeping (Writing System):
They created a form of writing called cuneiform.
They would carve wedge-shaped symbols on wet clay tablets; then they would baked the tablets in order to harden them.

9. Egypt Location: Egyptian civilization grew along the Nile River.
Agriculture:
Because of the climate and irrigation techniques developed, the Egyptians could have 2-3 harvest per year.
Egypt

10. They built pyramids as tombs for their leaders.
Egypt
They built pyramids as tombs for their leaders.

11. Egypt Record Keeping (Writing System):
The developed a 365-day calendar.
The developed a form of picture writing called hieroglyphics.

12. Label and color {+ key} the early civilizations on your map:

13. Ethnic Groups of North Africa & Southwest Asia
What is an ethnic group?
An ethnicity, or ethnic group, is a group of people sharing a common and distinctive culture, religion and language.

14. Arabs
Arabs are the primary (largest) ethnic group in the entire region
Religion - Islam (Muslims)
Language - Arabic

15. Bedouins Bedouins are nomads in the deserts of NA & SWA.
They are considered to be “true Arabs”.
Speak Arabic
Nomads - people who live in different locations, moving from one place to another

16. Persians Persians are a non-Arab ethnic group
Persians primarily live in Iran (and some of Afghanistan)
Persians are primarily Shia Muslim
Language - Farsi

17. Kurds Kurds are a non-Arab ethnic group
Kurds primarily live in Turkey, Iran, Syria & Iraq
They want their own homeland - Kurdistan
Their religion is primarily Sunni Muslim
Speak Kurdish (related to Farsi)

18. Turks Turks are a non-Arab ethnic group Turks primarily live in Turkey
The religion is primarily Sunni Muslim
They speak Turkish

19. Berbers Berbers are a non-Arab ethnic group
Berbers primarily live in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt
Their religion is primarily Sunni Muslim
Primarily spoken language w/many dialects
Disappearing because they are assimilating with Arabs

20. Jews
Jews are a religious group living mostly in Jerusalem (southeast corner), Israel, and part of the Golan Heights.
Jews claim Palestine (modern-day Israel) as their rightful homeland
Religion – Judaism
Jews speak Hebrew

21. Write your name in Hieroglyphics!