Sumerian Sumerian AchievementsAchievements

The ArchThe Arch

This pointed arch This pointed arch made of stone was made of stone was part of a house at part of a house at Ur and dates to Ur and dates to approximately approximately 2160 BC. 2160 BC.

City States/KingsCity States/Kings

This is the Stele of This is the Stele of Naram-Sin, a Naram-Sin, a rounded stone slab rounded stone slab depicting King depicting King Naram-Sin and his Naram-Sin and his soldiers on the soldiers on the battlefield. battlefield.

CuneiformCuneiformThis circular tablet was found in LagashThis circular tablet was found in Lagash

Cuneiform was used for keeping business records/keeping track of trade. Later it was used for recording Sumerian history.

Devotional StatuesDevotional Statues

This is a statue of a This is a statue of a married couple married couple found beneath the found beneath the floor of a shrine in floor of a shrine in Nippur. Nippur.

Used for worship Used for worship (often figures (often figures represented represented gods/godesses)gods/godesses)

Game BoardGame Board

This game board This game board and pieces were and pieces were used for used for entertainment and entertainment and were found at the were found at the Royal Cemetery of Royal Cemetery of Ur. Ur.

IrrigationIrrigation These are irrigated fields on the banks of the These are irrigated fields on the banks of the

Euphrates River. Irrigation brought water to Euphrates River. Irrigation brought water to their fields so that they could grow crops.their fields so that they could grow crops.

GeometryGeometry

This clay tablet has This clay tablet has geometry exercises geometry exercises and questions and questions written in written in cuneiform cuneiform

MedicineMedicine

The three holes drilled or cut into this skull The three holes drilled or cut into this skull are a result of a surgical procedure. are a result of a surgical procedure.

MetalworkingMetalworking

Three gold cups from Ur belonged to Queen Three gold cups from Ur belonged to Queen Shubad and may have contained the poison Shubad and may have contained the poison that killed her. that killed her.

MusicMusic

This is a lyre found This is a lyre found in Ur. Lyre’s are in Ur. Lyre’s are similar to harps similar to harps and were played at and were played at weddings, funerals, weddings, funerals, and for the gods. and for the gods.

Organized Armies Organized Armies

This shows two groups of soldiers in This shows two groups of soldiers in formation behind their leader. formation behind their leader.

PlowPlow This cylinder seal shows two gods, one with a This cylinder seal shows two gods, one with a

left hand in the shape of a scorpion and the left hand in the shape of a scorpion and the other plowing behind a dragon and lion. It other plowing behind a dragon and lion. It was used for farming to help move the dirt.was used for farming to help move the dirt.

SailboatSailboat

This is an example This is an example of a type of sailboat of a type of sailboat created by the created by the Sumerians. The Sumerians. The rope is where the rope is where the sails would have sails would have been. The bottom of been. The bottom of the boat is made the boat is made with reeds or sticks. with reeds or sticks. The boat was used The boat was used for travel along the for travel along the rivers.rivers.

Wheel Wheel This is a copper statue of a chariot being This is a copper statue of a chariot being

pulled by four donkeys. It depicts an early form pulled by four donkeys. It depicts an early form of the wheel. The wheel was used to transport of the wheel. The wheel was used to transport heavy items by cart. It was also used for heavy items by cart. It was also used for pottery.pottery.

Written LawsWritten Laws

This is a tablet and a This is a tablet and a copper statue of copper statue of King Ur-Nammu, King Ur-Nammu, found in Nippur. It found in Nippur. It depicts the laws of depicts the laws of the land in the land in cuneiform. cuneiform.

Laws were used to Laws were used to keep order in the keep order in the city-states. city-states.

Ziggurat Ziggurat This is a reconstruction of the ziggurat found This is a reconstruction of the ziggurat found

at Ur. The original ziggurat was build by King at Ur. The original ziggurat was build by King Ur-Nammu and made of mud bricks. Ur-Nammu and made of mud bricks.

Standard of UrStandard of UrThe Standard of Ur was a flag that the Mesopotamians would wave in honor of their city. They would wave it before war and during celebrations.