Mesopotamia: A Difficult Environment
Where was Mesopotamia located?
Iraq
What was the problem while living in the hills
Food shortages
In Sumer what was the water supply?
It was unreliable, too much or too little water.
Why did farmers have to clean the canals regularly?
One clogged canal would spoil the entire system
Why did the Sumerian cities fight?
They fought over the right to use more water
What 2 rivers were near Mesopotamia?
Tigris and Euphrates
At what time did people begin farming around the world?
The Neolithic age
What was the key to farming in Sumer?
Controlling the water
What did the canals constantly become clogged with?
Silt
What did disputes over water often lead to?
Blood shed
What made Mesopotamia difficult to live in?
It was very hot and there was little rain
Why did the Sumerians move to the plains of Sumer?
The need for food
During most of the year the soil was hard and dry because the rivers didn't flood, so what did the Sumerians build to help control the water?
Why did villages have to work together?
For the common good
What did the Sumerians use to protect their cities?
They used mud bricks to create strong walls
What made farming difficult?
Most of the season the soil was hard and dry
Why did the people of Sumer settle in the foothills?
It was a good place for farming and provided good materials to build shelters.
What was another thing the Sumerians did to control the water supply?
They built levees around the river to prevent flooding.
Why did villages have to depend on one another at this time?
People who lived in different villages had to make sure they clean out the silt
Why did the Sumerians build walls around their cities?
To protect themselves from getting attacked by neighboring cities.
What was hard to find on the plains?
Building materials
What brought water to the land?
The rivers flooding
Why did Sumerians construct dams along the river?
To block the water and force it to collect in pools for later use
Why were Sumerians forced to build larger communities?
They need to maintain the irrigation system
What was a major flaw in the irrigation system?
Cities located up river could block the water flow from cities downriver