The Sumerians were an incredibly innovative and influential civilization. Their inventions and ideas had a lasting impact on human society, and many of their innovations are still in use today.
From the invention of the wheel to the development of the first writing system, the Sumerians were truly pioneers.
1. Invented the Wheel
The wheel is one of humanity’s most important inventions. It revolutionized transportation and made it possible to move heavy loads with ease. The Sumerians are credited with inventing the wheel around 4200-4000 BCE.
The first wheels were not used for transportation, but for pottery making. The potter’s wheel allowed for the creation of more symmetrical and uniform vessels.
Later, the wheel was adapted for use in transportation, which transformed the way people traveled and traded goods.
2. Complex Religious System
Religion played a central role in Sumerian society. They had a pantheon of gods and goddesses who controlled different aspects of life.
The most important god was Anu, the god of the sky. Other important gods included Enlil, the god of the wind and storms, and Inanna, the goddess of love and war.
The Sumerians believed that the gods controlled everything in their world, from the weather to the success of their crops.
3. First Writing System
The Sumerians invented cuneiform, one of the earliest writing systems in the world. Cuneiform used wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets to represent words and ideas.
The earliest cuneiform tablets date back to around 3200 BCE and were used to record business transactions and other important information.
Over time, cuneiform evolved to include more abstract concepts and became the primary means of communication in the ancient Near East.
4. Complex System of Irrigation
Sumerians lived in a region that was largely arid and lacked natural water sources. To irrigate their crops, they developed a complex system of canals and levees that diverted water from rivers and streams to their fields.
They also built reservoirs to store water during the dry season. This system allowed the Sumerians to produce surplus crops, which in turn led to the development of trade and commerce.
5. Built Some of the World’s First Cities
They were among the first people to build cities. Their cities were characterized by impressive architecture, including large temples and palaces.
The city of Uruk, for example, was one of the largest and most important cities in the ancient world. It had a population of around 50,000 people and was surrounded by massive walls.
The Sumerians also developed a system of governance that included a king and a bureaucracy to manage the affairs of the city.
