The Fertile Crescent The Fertile Crescent Objective:Objective:

- Explain how Mesopotamian civilization - Explain how Mesopotamian civilization began and grew.began and grew.

- Explain and describe where one of the - Explain and describe where one of the first civilizations arose.first civilizations arose.

- Describe the early agricultural techniques - Describe the early agricultural techniques of Mesopotamia.of Mesopotamia.

- Explain what an economic surplus is.- Explain what an economic surplus is.- Explain why people settled in - Explain why people settled in

Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia.

Where Civilization BeganWhere Civilization Began

Civilizations Civilizations are groups of people are groups of people who have a complex and organized who have a complex and organized society within a culture.society within a culture.– The first civilization began around 3500 The first civilization began around 3500

B.C.B.C.– Each civilization has its own customs, Each civilization has its own customs,

food supply, social divisions, food supply, social divisions, government, religion, and technology.government, religion, and technology.

Civilization first developed in a Civilization first developed in a crescent shaped area. crescent shaped area.

The Fertile CrescentThe Fertile Crescent

The region stretched from Mediterranean Sea to the The region stretched from Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf.Persian Gulf.

It was the land between the Tigris and the Euphrates It was the land between the Tigris and the Euphrates River. River.

The Fertile Crescent TodayThe Fertile Crescent Today

Today, the land of the Fertile Crescent is part of the Today, the land of the Fertile Crescent is part of the countries of Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. countries of Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Israel.

The Land of the Fertile The Land of the Fertile CrescentCrescent

The Land of the Fertile The Land of the Fertile CrescentCrescent

The Land of the Fertile The Land of the Fertile CrescentCrescent

The forests of the fertile crescent The forests of the fertile crescent provided a home for animals such as provided a home for animals such as deer, sheep, and goats. deer, sheep, and goats.

The grassland provided homes for The grassland provided homes for wild pigs, oxen, and lions.wild pigs, oxen, and lions.

In the central area was a In the central area was a plainplain, or , or flat area of land, bordered by the flat area of land, bordered by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Tigris and Euphrates rivers. – This area was known as This area was known as Mesopotamia.Mesopotamia.

This means, “land between two rivers.”This means, “land between two rivers.”

Climate and RiversClimate and Rivers

The climate was not ideal for farming.The climate was not ideal for farming. Summers were long, hot, and dry with Summers were long, hot, and dry with

temperatures reaching 120temperatures reaching 120°F.°F. Rainfall is inconsistent.Rainfall is inconsistent. Because rainfall was inconsistent, the Because rainfall was inconsistent, the

people had to figure out a way to get the people had to figure out a way to get the water to their crops.water to their crops.– IrrigationIrrigation – a system that helped people – a system that helped people

control when and where to water their crops.control when and where to water their crops. Trenches and ditches brought water from the Trenches and ditches brought water from the

river to the fields. river to the fields.

IrrigationIrrigation

The PeopleThe People

The people of Mesopotamia were The people of Mesopotamia were problem solvers.problem solvers.– They made irrigation systems. They made irrigation systems. – They made bricks out of mud, clay, and They made bricks out of mud, clay, and

straw.straw. They then dried the bricks with the sun.They then dried the bricks with the sun. People used these bricks to build homes, People used these bricks to build homes,

temples, and palaces.temples, and palaces.

– People worked as farmers and herders. People worked as farmers and herders.

Growth of City – States and Growth of City – States and TradeTrade

Once farming improved, people had time to Once farming improved, people had time to build their villages.build their villages.– Families and population began to grow.Families and population began to grow.

Several villages included Several villages included Uruk, Kish, Uruk, Kish, Lagash, Nippur, Umma, Lagash, Nippur, Umma, and and Ur.Ur.

These villages eventually became city-These villages eventually became city-states.states.

A A city-statecity-state is a city that is an individual is a city that is an individual unit, complete with its own form of unit, complete with its own form of government and traditions. government and traditions.

Some of the people were Some of the people were artisansartisans, or , or craftspeople. craftspeople. – They were potters and weavers.They were potters and weavers.

Some people also became traders.Some people also became traders.– This helped them get the natural resources they This helped them get the natural resources they

needed. needed.

Time to Review Time to Review

Where did the first civilizations arise?Where did the first civilizations arise? What was the effect of the low rainfall in What was the effect of the low rainfall in

Mesopotamia?Mesopotamia? What caused city-states to be What caused city-states to be

established?established? How did the Mesopotamian farmers use How did the Mesopotamian farmers use

the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers to solve the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers to solve the problem of low rainfall?the problem of low rainfall?

How did Mesopotamian people get the How did Mesopotamian people get the natural resources they needed?natural resources they needed?