Before the wheel the Sumerian's used flat

bottomed structures called "sledges". These sledgesoften got stuck and could not carry
heavy
loads. The Sumerians also put the sledge on a
roller which is the picture under the sledge. This
would not work well because they would have to
keep the sledge balanced.The Sumerians used the wheel to carryheavy loads over long
distances. The wheelwas also used for chariots for battle. The wheelhelped them get into
battle quicker. The oldestknown wheel found in an archaeologicalexcavation is from
Mesopotamia, and dates toaround 3500 BC. This period was known as theBronze Age,
which is a relatively late chapter inthe story of the development of humancivilization. They
also used something calledthe potter's wheel which when the Sumeriansused this it made
them pots.

The wheel was very important in the lives of

the Sumerians. It could carry almost three times
the weight that the sledge could. When the
Sumerians rode into battle they were pulled in a
chariot by donkeys. This was much quicker than
when they went on feet or on a donkey. The
Sumerians used something called the potters
wheel which made pots. They could gather
water and foods in the pots they made.

Today people use wheels on like cars, planes, helicopters and other sorts of transportation.
It also helps people that cannot walk. Or other things of activity like biking and skating. The
wheel also helps with the shape of things. Just think, we wouldn't be able to tell time if it
were not for the wheel. The shape of the clock is a
circle or wheel shaped. The wheel is the shape of gears in factories that give us things to
live. The world today pretty much needs the wheel.