Theme 1: The River Valley Civilizations
1 The Mesopotamian1
Civilization D
WHAT IS CIVILIZATION? on river banks because of several reasons:
Civilization is an advanced stage or system of " There was abundant water supply to
social development. When primitive humans support large settlements.
(nomadic hunter-gatherers) advanced over " Land was fertile and crops grew in plenty,
a period of thousands of years of evolution, giving people adequate free time to devote
settled down and became cultured, a to creative activities and other occupations.
civilization was born.
Rivers also acted as means of transport
Cultured people have refined interests and to carry people and goods from one place
tastes, special artistic skills and improved to another. As a result, trade increased,
lifestyles. leading to the growth of towns and cities.
Important Features of THE MESOPOTAMIAN
a Civilization CIVILIZATION
Settled life
Location and Origin
Surplus food production
Towns and cities Mesopotamia, which in Greek means 'the land
Town plarnring, residential between two rivers', is a broad, fertile valley
ANCIENT RIVER VALLEY CIVILIZATIONS OF THE WORLD
buildings and monuments
Governing bodies and laws TP
Special crafts and skills
Language and script
During the Bronze Age, areas
around the Indus Valley in the
Indian subcontinent, the Nile Valley MEOPQJAMIAN
in Egypt, the valleys of Tigris and MEDORCNLZATIO CHNESE
CMLIZATION.
INOUS VALLEY EASTCHIN
Euphrates in Mesopotamia and the EGYPTIAN
CIVILIZATION ASARLAN
EVILIZATIgN
SouTH
SEA PACIFLC
0CEA N
valleys of Huang He (Hwang Ho) BENC L CAN
SEA
and Chang Jiang (Yangtze) in China ATLANTIC
OCEAN
INDI AN
OCEA N
had become centres of civilization.
The earliest civilizations developed
between the ivers igris and Euphrates in MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
West Asia. These wo ivers run parallel to MESOPOTAMIAN CIVILIZATION
each other, overtlowing their banks during TownPlanning
floods and depositing alluvial silt along the
lower reaches of the plain. The earliest and the The discOverv ot the Sumerian aty ot Lr
most advanced urban culture that flounshed us how the people of earlv Mesopot|
on the lower vallev of the Euphrates is known
as the Sumerian ivilization. On the north Iived. The cities were not as well-plarned
(about whuch
western side of Sumer were rgons called the Harappan Caties
learn later). but followed a uniform pattera
Babylonia and Akkad. and the highlands in Excavations show that the at was
the north were called Assyria into three main parts-the sacred area divde e
Around 3500 sCE. the Sumerians developed and the outer
the worid's first civilization. This aivilization
walled city on a mound town
The sacred area had the temple-tower
flourished for about 1,500 vears and was then
ziggurat dedicated to the patron god i
absorbed by the Babvionians and. inaly. the ity. There were smaller temples dedicated
Assvrians. Various ivilizations, such as the other gods. This area also had the storehaue
Babylonian and Assyrian civilizations, rose
and fell in this region. Hence, Mesopotamia and the offies) People lived in the walei
city and in the outer tow. Houses were buk
is called the cradle and grave of many
avilizations. along the street. Each house had a cenra
cOurtvardwith rooms around it.
For centuries, nomadic tribes from outside
poured into this vallev. This civilization
lourished from around 3500 sCE to 600
BCE. Generally acknowledged as the oldest
civilization in the world, this civilization
came to light as late as the first quarter of the
20th century. The Ziggurat of Ur
MESOPOIAMIAN IVILIZATION
Architecture
ASSYRIA
The ancient Mesopotamians
MEDITERRANEAN Assure introduced architecual
ZAGROS MOUNTAIS
SEA
Jerusalerm
Euplarat
Mari
Akad
forms such as arehes
columns. domes and vaults in
AKKAB the construction of buildings
Babylon ORish
BABYLONIaNpur These are believed to be some
Lacash
EGYPT SYRIAN
Uruke sUMER of the greatest contributions
DESERT ELAM of Mesopotamia in the field
Ernidu
of architecture. Their temple
\RED towers were monumental
SEA
ARABIAN structures made trom sun
DESERT
Mesopotamian civilization
baked bricks. They looked
Iike mnan-made mounta1ns
0 ialoab trake ouconds, aranauc S- 200
chels
They were Family Life
soaring high above the ground.
decorated with of the family and
many storeys high and were The father was the head
marble. These privileges. The rights of
enjoyed special protected.
tiles, precious stones and observatories, Children were
Women were
temples were also used as were sent
schools, granaries and trade
centres. The brought up very strictly and boys
writing and
Mesopotamian architects also built big
cities, to schools to study reading,
trained in dance and
Gardens of arithmetic. Girls were
canals and dams. The Hanging
of the
Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders music.
of
Ancient World, are abrilliant specimen
Mesopotamian architecture. Occupation
Agriculture
the
Agriculture was the main occupation of
Mesopotamians. The Euphrates and Tigris
water
of
rivers were their main sources
supply. Flooding was irregular. So they built
an elaborate and highly developed irrigation
system to ensure asteady supply of water
Ruins of the histariccity of Babylon in present-day Iraq, throughout the year. They also built dykes to
which was pat ofancient Mesopotamia control floods.
Did You Know? To increase agricultural yield, they invented
Accounts indicate that the Hanging Gardens of the ox-drawn plough. They also used the
Babylon were built by King Nebuchadnezzar I, wheeled wagon for transportation of goods.
who ruled the city for about 43 years. Accounts The modern world is indebted to them
also say that the gardens were built to cheer for these inventions. They revolutionized
up Nebuchadnezzar's wife. She came froma the evolution of human society. The
place where the land was green, rugged and
mountainous and she found the flat, sun-baked Mesopotamians are believed to have been the
terrain of Mesopotamia depressing. The king first to cultivate wheat. They alsogrew barley,
decided to recreate her homeland by building an pulses and fruits.
artifcial mountain with rooftop gardens!
Discuss
Society Discuss how the increase in agricultural
Social Structure production led to the development of creative
skills in Mesopotamia.
The Mesopotamian society was divided into
three classes. Domestication of Animals
The upper class consisted of the members The Mesopotamians domesticated animals
of the royal family, priests and high officials. Histo
such as cows, goats, sheep and donkeys.
The middle class consisted of farmers,
artisans and traders. The majority of the Art and Craft
people were farmers. The increase in agricultural production and
The lower class consisted of slaves. abundant stocks of food supplies freed the
11
population
in
trom toiling
the tields
Trade
They
now had moe time to Stone, timber and metal ores Were
develop their ceative in Mesopotamia and so these commodCarce
shills. Settlements were traded for the produce from the
grw into towns and
sprializd shills such developed.fiFond
Aflourishing foreign trade
grains and finished products were
elds,
aspottery, weavingand to the Mediterranean countries andexported
metalwork ((ewellen
armour and statues)
Seals found in the Indus Valley
sites Egypt
show
,
Jewellery from ancient that the Mesopotamians also had trade
began to develop The Mesopotamia relations with India. They kept records
disover of metal objects, statues, gold and their business accounts on clay tablets. Trad
silver omaments and pottery is proof of the and commerce increased the
technical knowledge and skill of the artisans civilization.
prosperity
of the
in Mesopotamia.
Religion
The Mesopotamians believed in many gods.
Every city had its own special god. They
worshipped the forces of naturelike thesun.
the rain, the moon and the stars. The king
was the chief priest and the representative
of God on earth. In later years, the kings
Mesopotamian pottery--ajug(left) and a hollow clay cylinder orappointed
the
priests to look after the temple
ziggurat. The priests
inscribed in cuneiform, the Mesopotamian script (right) oCcupied very
a
important position in society.
Think and Answer The Mesopotamians may have believed in
Have there been any major/minor changes in life after death. Drinking vessels, ornaments,
the occupations in today's villages as compared weapons, etc. have been found in some graves.
to those in ancient times?
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE MESOPOTAMIAN CIVILIZATION
Script
The Mesopotamians invented and developed asystem of writing known as cuneiform (wedge-shaped).
They wrote from left to right with astylus (a sharp pen made of reeds, bone and sometimes of metal), They
History wrote on the smooth, soft surface of clay tablets which were then baked in fire and hardened. Each tablet
was like the page of ab0ok. Several such clay tablets comprised acomplete book. The cuneiform script has
been deciphered and, thus, we can get important information about the Mesopotamians.
12
MathematicalSkills
The Mesopotamians were highly skilled mthematicians. They had aspecial sign for the number 'one'. If
they wanted to write tve, they would repeat the sign of 'one' fve times. They counted in tens and sixties.
They also Used the figure 6o as the unit to measure time. They were the frst to divide an hour into 60 minutes
anda minute into 60 seconds. Ayear was divided into 12 months. Days and nights were divided into two
equal halves consisting of 12 hours each.
Legal System
Hammurabi, the king of Babylon, compiled acodeof lawdealing with every aspect of human life. These
laws protected the pOor and the weak and safequardedthe rights of women. This code of law, written on a
stone slab, is one of the oldest legal codes known to humans.
DECLINE OF THE Euphrates River, the lifeline of this great
civilization, unexpectedly changed its course.
MESOPOTAMIANCIVILIZATION The inhabitants abandoned the site. Winds
Much of our modern civilization can be and sandstorms eroded the walls and the
traced back to the inventive genius of the monuments, burying the treasures of this
Mesopotamians. Yet, the vibrant culture great civilization beneath a sandy desert
declined and was gradually forgotten. The plain.
Values and Life Skills
We should try to solve our problems creatively just like the Mesopotamians did. We should make the best
Use of oUr resources.
Can you think of acreative solution to a major environmental problem such as pollution?
Around this time, the Sumerians developed
the world's first civilization. Present day
BCE CE
4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 |CE 500 1000 1500 2000
The Mesopotamian civilization flourished.
Important Words
Civilization is an advanced stage or system of social patron god and were also used as schoos, qranaries
development. and trade centres.
Mesopotamia in Greek means 'the land between two Cuneiform was the wedge-shaped script of the Mesopo His
rivers!. The Mesopotamian civilization developed tamians, written on clay tablets.
between the rivers Euphrates and Tigris. Stylus was a sharp pen made of reed, bone or sometimes
Ziggurats were temple-towers found in the sacred area metal.
of the Sumerian city of Ur. They were dedicated to the
13
CIVILIZATION
develaopment)
(An advanced stage or system of social
Main features of a civilization Bronze Age river valley civilizations Civilizations developed
along river banks becaus
The Indus Valley in the
Settled life Indian subcontinent
Abundant water supply
Surplus food production The Nile Valley in Egypt Crops grew in plenty
as land was fertile. This
left free time for other
Valleys of Tigris and OCCupations.
Towns and cities
Euphrates in Mesopotamia
Rivers were means of
transport and facilitated
Town planning Valleys of Huang He and trade.
Chang Jiang (Yangtze)
in China
Governing bodies and laws
Mesopotamian civilization
Special crafts and skills
The city was divided into three
Oldest civilization in the world parts-the sacred area, the
walled city on a mound and the
Language and script outer town.
Sacred areas had temple-towers or
Arches, columns, domes
ziggurats dedicated to the patron and vaults were used in the
god of the city.
construction of the buildings.
Society divided into three classes
upper class, middle class and lower |Agriculture,domestication of
class. Father was the head of the animals and art and crafts were
some of the other occupations.
farnily.
People believed in many gods
Flourishing foreign trade developed. and each city had its special
god.
History
Civilization declined as the river changed its
course and people abandoned the site.
14
Exercises
A Fillin the blanks.
1. The two rivers associated with the Mesopotamian civilization were the and
theeles
2. The three majorcivilizations that rose and fellin the Mesopotamian Valley were
and ga civilizations.
3. Mesopotamia is called the cHoo and of many civilizations.
4 To ensure steady supply of water throughÍut the ye¯r, the Mesopotamians built an
5. The Mesopotamians also buflit to control floods.
B Match the following.
A
1. civilization (a), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
2. Sumerian civilization 6) temple-tower
3. Ziggurat c) representative of God on earth
4. Hanging Gardens of Babylón (d) advanced system of social development
5. king (e) world's first civilization
Choose the correct answer.
1. Dams/Canals/emple-towerswere found in the sacred area of the city of Ur.
2. The main occupation of the Mesopotarmians was griculture<tradelart and craft.
3. The Mesopotamians are believed to have been the first to Cultivate barletwheatpulses.
4. The Mesopotamians kept a record of business accounts on paper/clay tabletsparchment.
5. Each Mesopotamian city had its own specialgodking/priest.
State whether the following are true or false.
1. Mesopotamia is calledthe cradle and grave of many civlizations.
2. Nomadic tribes from outside pouredinto the Mesopotamian valley for many centuries.
3. Mesopotamian girls were sent to school to learn to read and write.
4.The Mesopotamians had trade relations with people in the Indus Valley.
5.The king was regarded as the representative of God on earth.
Answer the followingquestions in one or two words/sentences.
1. What is the meaning of the word 'Mesopotamia"?
2. What were the greatest contributions of the Mesopotamians in the field of architecture?
3. What did the Mesopotamians invent to increase agricultural yield? His
4. Name any two crops cultivated by Mesopotamians.
5. What important specialized skills did the Mesopotamians have?
6. How do we know that the Mesopotamians had trade links with the people of the Indus
Valley?
7. How do we know that Mesopotamians believed in life after death?
15
F Answer the followingquestions briefly
1
What were the main features of town planning in Mesopotamia?
2. Give a bref account of architecture under the Mesopotamians
3 Give an account of (a) the so0al structure and (b)family life in the Mesopotamian society
4 What were the important occupat1ons of the Mesopotamians?
S Give a bnef account of trade that developed in Mesopotamia.
6 Erplain brefly the religious beliefs and practices of the Mesopotam1ans.
7
Wnte a short note onthe zigqurats of the Mesopotamian civilization
3. Gve a bnef account of the decline of the Mesopotamian civilization
Picture study
This is a picture ofa buildingq in the Mesopotamian
city of Ur.
1 ldentify the building.
2
What is the significance of the building?
3. What do you know about the architectural
contributions of the Mesopotamians?
H Map work SI Geogap"y
On an outline map of the world, mark and label the area where the Mesopotamian civilization
developed.
Doand Learn
Use your imagination
TP Imagine that you are atrader from Harappa (ndus Valley civilization) on abusiness trip to
Mesopotamia. Make a note of what happened during that trip with reference to trade.
Project work
TP 1. Find pictures and information andmake a scrapbook on the following topics:
(a) Occupations of the Mesopotamians (b) Religion of the Mesopotamians
TP 2. Make a picture gallery in your scrapbook on the following using pictures/sketches/
drawings/paintings/picture postcards.
Map of the Mesopotamian civilization
AMesopotamian town
Sumerian pottery
Aziggurat
Mesopotamian jewellery SIArts Educaton
TD 3. Use modelling clay tomake anumber of slabs/tablets. Collect some sharp pointed
twigs from the garden (resembling a pen/pencil). Use these twigs to inscribe your
name, the name and address of your school, your hobbies, or a short poem on
these
clay tablets. Dry them in the sun.
History SI Arts Education
16
