Where was Mesopotamia located?
Between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, at the eastern end of the Fertile Crescent.
What rivers bordered Mesopotamia?
The Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
What does the word “Mesopotamia” mean?
“The area between the two rivers.”
Why was the soil in Mesopotamia suitable for farming?
It was rich and fertile due to layers of silt deposited by the rivers.
What is irrigation, and why was it important for Mesopotamian farmers?
Irrigation is supplying water to land or crops through channels; it allowed farmers to grow crops regularly.
What is a city-state?
A large city with some surrounding land, ruled as an independent unit.
Name three important Sumerian cities.
Eridu, Ur, Uruk.
What material did Sumerians use to build most of their houses?
Mud (mud bricks).
What architectural innovations did Sumerians invent using mud bricks?
The arch and the dome.
What is a ziggurat?
A massive stepped tower topped with a temple
What type of economy existed in Sumerian city-states?
A traditional economy based on trade, farming, and industry.
Name three products Sumerians produced for trade.
Woollen textiles, pottery, metalwork.
Where did Sumerian traders travel to exchange goods?
The eastern Mediterranean and east of India.
What imported materials did Sumerians obtain through trade?
Copper and tin.
What was the most famous Sumerian invention?
(cuneiform).
