Geographic Features
Mesopotamia was located between which two rivers?
Tigris and Euphrates
_____ soil gave Mesopotamian's the ability to grow crops
fertile
The farms could not be close to the rivers due to flooding. As a result, Sumerians dug a system of _____ to carry water from the rivers to their crops
canals
Problem: Only a small amount of land had access to water and could be farmed
Solution: Sumerians built irrigation canals to bring water to crops.
What is the result?
Farmers could use moe land to grow crops.
Why did Sumerians domesticate animals?
for resources like wool, meat, and milk
to transport goods
Which landform protected Mesopotamia from invaders and is located in the NorthEast?
Zagros Mountains
fine sand or soil that is deposited on land by running water / floods
silt
The canals that the Sumerians built formed the world's first ____________ system.
irrigation
Problem: Carrying crops and other farm goods by hand was difficult.
Solution: Sumerians domesticated animals and developed the wheel.
What was the result?
Farmers used animals and arts to transport goods and plow land faster.
How did the Sumerians use slave labor?
to cultivate fields and crops
Which large body of water is located to the West of Mesopotamia?
Mediterranean Sea
the two most important characteristics to Mesopotamia
water and fertile soil
Early Sumerians used simple tools made of clay and copper that often broke. To fix this problem, they began to experiment with ______ to create a new type of metal that was stronger
metallurgy
Problem: Clay and copper farm tools frequently broke.
Solution: Sumerians mixed copper and tin to make bronze farming tools.
What was the result?
farmers could plow larger fields and harvest more crops.
Who developed the first civilization in Mesopotamia?
Sumerians
Besides the Mediterranean Sea, what are the two large bodies of water near Mesopotamia?
Black Sea, Persian Gulf
Mesopotamia means _____ _____ _____ _____
land between two rivers
The Sumerians invented the _______ to help them transport goods faster
wheel
What did Sumerians discover through metallurgy?
Bronze
Area of land where crops were extremely abundant due to fertile soil
The Fertile Crescent
Besides mountains, what geographical feature also provided protection to the Mesopotamians?
Arabian Desert / Desert
rivers provided fertile soil and a natural route for
transportation
The Sumerians invented the _______ to help them travel to distant markets
sail
Problem: inconsistent rainfall
Solution: built canals
Result?
irrigation improved agriculture
Why were bronze-tipped plows important to farmers in Mesopotamia?
allowed them to work with the tool longer and not worry about it breaking