Sumerians

What race were Sumerians?

The Sumerians were an ancient people who established one of the world’s first civilizations in southern Mesopotamia. Their ethnic origins are not definitively known, as they lived over 4,000 years ago. The Sumerian language is a language isolate, not related to any known language family, complicating efforts to trace their origins. Modern concepts of race do not easily apply to ancient peoples like the Sumerians, who are best identified by their unique cultural and linguistic contributions.

Who were the Sumerians?

The Sumerians were the people of the southern Mesopotamia, which lasted from c. 5500 – c. 1800 B.C.

What were the Sumerians known for?

The Sumerians were known for their innovations in language, governance, architecture and more. They were known to have been the ones who first came up with writing and invented the plow.

Where was Sumer located?

Sumer was located at the confluence of Euphrates and Tigris rivers, in the Mesopotamian region.

Is Sumer older than Egypt?

Sumerian civilization (c. 5500 – c. 1800 B.C.) is considered to be older than the ancient Egyptian civilization which lasted from 3100 to 332 B.C.E.

Who wrote Gilgamesh?

The epic poem Gilgamesh was said to have been written by the Sumerians.

What was the religion of the Sumerians?

Sumerians believed in anthropomorphic polytheism, or of many gods in human form, which were specific to each city-state.



The Sumerians and Mesopotamia

Sumerians: Sumerian civilization was an ancient civilization located in the Mesopotamian region situated between the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Sumerians were popular for their contributions to the fields of language, governance, and architecture. The Sumerian civilization was from c. 5500 – c. 1800 B.C. It is said, that the Sumerians were there for 2,000 years before the Babylonians took charge in 2004 B.C.

In this article, Sumerians, their origin, Sumerian Language & Literature, Technology, Trade & Commerce, Art & Architecture, Religion, Science, Culture, Gilgamesh & the Decline of the Sumerians have been discussed.

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About Sumerians

Located in the Mesopotamian region, at the confluence of two rivers: the Euphrates & Tigris the Sumerian Civilization had a culture that comprised many city-states like Eridu, Nippur, Lagash, Kish, Ur, and Uruk. It is said that the Sumerian civilization reached its zenith around 2800 BC. It had a population between 40,000 and 80,000 people. Known for their contributions in the fields of language, governance, and architecture, Sumerian Civilization was amongst the most important civilizations in the world....

Sumerian Civilization – Overview

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History of Sumerians

Sumerians homeland in Mesopotamia, called Sumer, emerged roughly 6,000 years ago between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in present-day Iraq and Syria....

Sumerian Language and Literature

It was first around 3100 B.C., the Sumerian language first appeared in the archaeological records. It dominated Mesopotamia for the next thousand years. Akkadian replaced Sumerian around 2000 B.C. Sumerian continued as a written language in cuneiform for another 2,000 years. Cuneiform, used in pictographic tablets, was later adapted into Akkadian, and expanded even further outside of Mesopotamia....

Sumerian Technology

The Sumerians were known for theor technological marvels such as:...

Sumerian Trade and Commerce

The Sumerians were quite efficient in the field of trade and commerce. They maintained trade and commercial relations with India and Egypt....

Sumerian Art and Architecture

Sumerians architecture dates back to 3400 B.C., much of the earlier structures were seen in the Ubaid period. These structures improved with time. Mud bricks or bundled marsh reeds were used to make houses. The buildings are noted for their arched doorways and flat roofs....

Sumerian Religion & Gods

Sumerians built temples at the centre of the city state for worshipping Gods and goddesses. The Sumerian temple was known as Ziggurat meaning “Hill of the Heaven”. These were multi-storeyed tower temples....

Sumerian Science

In the field of science, Sumerians were known for many things. Sumerians system of medicine was based in magic and herbalism, they also removed chemical parts from natural substances. Sumerians had an advanced knowledge of anatomy, and surgical instruments as could be seen in their archeological sites....

Decline of Sumerians

It is said that around 2600 B.C., a power struggle emerged between the leaders of Kish, Erech and Ur. In Awan kingdom, conflict emerged....

Sumerian Civilization Facts

The Sumerian civilization, emerging in the southern part of Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), is one of the world’s oldest civilizations, with its origins dating back to at least the 4th millennium BCE. Here are some key facts about the Sumerian civilization:...

Conclusion – Sumerians

The ancient Sumerians located at the heartland of Sumer, between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers were one of the major civilisations of the world. Known for their irrigation skills as they were located in very fertile lands. Several major cities were in Sumer like Ur, Uruk, Kish and Eridu. Sumerians are said to have been the first ones to come up with writing....

FAQs on Sumerians

What race were Sumerians?...