Geographical Features
What are the two rivers in Mesopotamia?
Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
Since Mesopotamia got little rainfall, how did the Sumerians water their crops?
dug canals which became irrigation systems
Why is Mesopotamia called the "Fertile Crescent"?
because it had fertile, rich soil good for growing crops
What are the Sumerians' most famous invention?
the wheel
What mountain range is to the east of Mesopotamia?
Zagros Mountains
What fertile material from rivers helped improve soil for farming?
silt
How did the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers benefit ancient Mesopotamia?
flooded the area, depositing fertile silt; used for transportation of people and resources; provided water used to water crops
What major invention did the Mesopotamians create that helped in navigation?
What sea lies to the southwest of Mesopotamia?
Mediterranean Sea
How did domesticating animals help the Sumerians?
provided resources like wool, meat and milk and were used to transport products and goods from place to place
Why is the Fertile Crescent considered a "cradle of civilization"?
It was one of the earliest areas where agriculture and cities developed.
What is the earliest known writing system that was created by the Sumerians?
cuneiform
What large body of water is located to the north of Mesopotamia?
Black Sea
How did the Sumerians use slave labor?
to cultivate fields and crops
What geographic features helped protect the Fertile Crescent from outside invasions?
mountains and seas
How did the invention of the wheel impact transportation?
It made moving goods easier and faster.
What body of water is located to the southeast of Mesopotamia?
Persian Gulf
How did metallurgy contribute to agricultural advancements?
allowed them to build stronger, more durable farming tools
Explain why the Fertile Crescent was important for trade.
Its location connected various regions, facilitating trade of goods and ideas.
What was one major effect of the agricultural advancements in Mesopotamia?
the growth of cities and population