The Geography of Mesopotamia & the Fertile Crescent

Chapter 3, Section 1P. 58-61

Today’s Learning Targets• I will identify and locate the Fertile

Crescent and Mesopotamia on a map of the region.

• I will discuss how rivers supported the growth of Mesopotamian civilization.

• I will analyze the effects of new farming techniques, such as specialization and growth of cities.

• I will identify main ideas and supporting details while reading a textbook selection.

Features of Civilization

• Cities- urban areas, which grew out of villages as surplus food caused the population to grow. Became centers of trade for larger regions.

• Central Government- ruling body needed to oversee maintenance of irrigation, distribution of resources, protection, laws, and settle disputes.

• Councils of elders, priests

Features of Civilization

• Religion- formal system of beliefs and rituals with deities. Priests began using elaborate ceremonies to appease the gods and answer questions. Polytheistic.

• Division of Labor- developed skills and kinds of work as everyone could not master all skills needed. Artisans and craftsmen provide goods and services.

Features of Civilization

• Social Hierarchy- ranking people’s status in society based on job skills and wealth. Some jobs such as priests and warriors more respected, slaves at the bottom.

• Writing- a way for people to keep records of complex information and pass on ideas: taxes, debt, food storage, events. Scribes- record keepers.

Features of Civilization

• Arts & Architecture- expression of ideas, beliefs, and values through skills, crafts, painting, music, and buildings. Shows what or who is important.

• Public Works- large projects such as irrigation systems, bridges, roads, and temples that benefit the health and welfare of the people and society.

Other Features

• Economy- way to exchange goods and services. Surplus allowed trade to begin.

• Calendar- keep track of time and the seasons for farming, floods, ceremonies.

• Technology- tools and skills used to complete tasks. Usually developed to solve problems.

4 early River Valley Civilizations• Sumerian Civilization - Tigris & Euphrates Rivers

(Mesopotamia)• Egyptian Civilization - Nile River• Harappan Civilization - Indus River

• Ancient China - Huang He (Yellow) River

PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

I. Mesopotamia

• Earliest known civilization• “Cradle of Civilization”

• Means- “Land between the rivers”

• Tigris and Euphrates Rivers (Iraq)• Fertile Crescent• Floods of the Tigris and Euphrates

created an Alluvial Plain.

The Ancient Fertile Crescent Area

The Ancient Fertile Crescent Area

The Middle East: “The Cradle of Civilization”

The Middle East: “The Cradle of Civilization”

A. Rise of Civilization Desert – hot and dry Hunter-Gatherers settle near the

rivers 12,000 years ago. First farming settlements 7000

B.C. Silt Wheat, Barley, other grains and foods Population Growth Villages become first civilizations

Reading & Research Activity You are to read pages 60-61: Farming and

Cities, Controlling Water, Food Surpluses, and Cities.

You will identify the problems faced by Mesopotamia, the solutions, and the effects, and will put this information into an organizer like the one on the board.

Then use your personal device to research what other problems villages in Mesopotamia faced and how they solved them, and the effects, and put them into your organizer.

II. Mesopotamia’s Challenges

Problems: Received little rain. Unpredictable flooding. No natural barriers. Limited natural resources.

A. Mesopotamia’s Solutions

Solutions:1. Built canals, ditches, and irrigation systems.2. Villages formed into city-states, surrounded by a mud brick walls.3. Sumerians used mud and reeds, or traded for what they needed.

II. Effects of Mesopotamia’s Actions

Increased food production- surplus. Varied diet. Division of Labor/Specialization-

fewer people had to farm, could do other things.

Public Works Projects- irrigation, buildings.

Government- structure, rules, and laws. Rise of cities- 4000-3000 B.C.- become

centers of trade and civilization.

Today’s Learning Targets• I will identify and locate the Fertile

Crescent and Mesopotamia on a map of the region.

• I will discuss how rivers supported the growth of Mesopotamian civilization.

• I will analyze the effects of new farming techniques, such as specialization and growth of cities.

• I will identify main ideas and supporting details while reading a textbook selection.