Ancient times

A. Sumerians

Sumeria is located on the southern most tip of ancient Mesopotamia

The word “mesopotamia” is formed from the ancient words “meso,” meaning between or in the
middle of, and “potamos,” meaning river. Situated in the fertile valleys between the Tigris and
Euphrates rivers, the region is now home to modern-day Iraq, Kuwait, Turkey and Syria. Map of
Mfgyesopotamia
Sumeria is located on the southernmost tip of ancient Mesopotamia. Sumerians are known for
their high degree of cooperation with one another and their desire for great things.
They are no contented with the basic things that life can offer. This desire pushed them to
develop many things connected with science and technology.
● Cuneiform - The Sumerians developed one of the earliest writing systems known as
cuneiform around 3200 BCE.
● The invention of the first writing system known as cuneiform is one of the Sumerians' main
contributions. It is a device that makes use of word representations and triangular symbols
carved on clay using wedge instruments and left to dry. Cuneiform enabled the Sumerians to
keep records of historically important items, or their daily lives. record-keeping, administration,
and communication.

● Sailboat - Before they invented the wheel, the main mode of transportation for the Sumerians is
through the use of waterways like rivers and seas. The boats were used to carry large quantities of
product and cover large distances.
● so yun sailboats are a very crucial advancement in maritime transportation. the sailboat was develop
By attaching cloth sails to wooden frames, so thru this clothes attach they could harness the wind's
power para mapaganda nila ang sailboat ng walng gasolina at makatawid sila across rivers, lakes, and
seas. Sailboats enabled Sumerians to explore new territories, conduct trade, and establish connections
with distant civilizations, expanding their cultural and economic influence.

● Wheel- Sumerians are credited with the invention of the wheel around 3500 BCE. The wheel
revolutionized transportation, making it easier to move goods and people, and paved the way
for technological advancements such as wheeled vehicles and pottery wheels.
- Tso another use for this wheel is para sa mga Farmers/ magsasaka wherein they use
this wheel para gilingin ang butil ng palay in less time with less effort.

● Irrigation Systems- In the fertile but arid lands of Mesopotamia ibig sabihin though mataba
ang mga lupa sa mesopotami pero tuyong tuyo ang lupa nila kasi walang silang tubog na
pangkukuhanan, Sumerians developed sophisticated irrigation systems to control the flow of
water from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. These systems enabled efficient agricultural
practices and contributed to the growth of urban centers

● Plow (araro)- Another farm technology that the Sumerians invented to ease the hardship of
farming is the plow. The plow is intended to dig the ground where the seeds need to grow
thereby enabling farmers to cultivate large parcels of land faster and with relative ease.

● Roads - The need for faster and easier travels led to the Sumerians developing the first
roads. They first paved the ground with sunbaked bricks and later replaced this method by
 pouring bitumen, a sticky substance similar to that of modern asphalt.

● Urbanization- Sumerians built some of the world's earliest cities, such as Uruk and Ur, around
4000 BCE. Their urban centers featured monumental architecture, organized streets, and
complex social structures, laying the foundation for later urban developments.
● Ziggurats - Sumerians had a complex pantheon of gods and goddesses, and their religious
practices influenced later Mesopotamian cultures. They built temples called ziggurats,
where rituals and offerings were performed, and developed elaborate myths and rituals.
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 B. Babylonian -
Babylonian Civilization known as Babylonia, it was a state in ancient Mesopotamia. The city of Babylon,
whose ruins are located in present-day Iraq, was founded more than 4,000 years ago as a small port town on
the Euphrates River. It grew into one of the largest cities of the ancient world under the rule of Hammurabi.
Several centuries later, a new line of kings established a Neo-Babylonian Empire that spanned from the
Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea. During this period, Babylon became a city of beautiful and lavish
buildings. Biblical and archaeological evidence point toward the forced exile of thousands of Jews to Babylon
around this time.

BABYLONIAN CIVILIZATION
Babylonian civilization near the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The Babylonians were great builders,
engineers, and architects. One of their major contributions is the hanging gardens of Babylon, one of
the 7 wonders in the ancient world.

• HANGING GARDENS was said to be a structure made up of layers upon layers of

gardens that contained several species of plants, trees, and vines.
• According to legends, the great Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar II built the gardens for his
wife, Queen Amytis. However, no physical evidence has been found to prove the existence of the
Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
● Hanging Gardens of Babylon One of their major contributions was the hanging gardens
of Babylon, which is considered today as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

● Hammurabi’s Code - Hammurabi, the sixth king of the Babylonian Empire, established a
comprehensive legal code known as Hammurabi’s Code. Written in cuneiform on a large stone
pillar, it consisted of 282 laws that governed different aspects of Babylonian society. The code
covered a wide range of topics, including criminal justice, property rights, commercial
transactions, family law, and labor regulations. Hammurabi aimed to ensure fairness and
maintain social order within his empire.
Hammurabi’s Code played a crucial role in shaping the principles of justice and
punishment.

● Mathematics -The Babylonians developed a sophisticated mathematical system based on a

sexagesimal (base-60) numeral system.

This system, which included the concept of positional notation, allowed them to perform
complex calculations. They made significant strides in arithmetic, geometry, and algebra.
● Babylonian mathematicians employed tables and algorithms to solve equations, calculate
areas, and work with fractions. Their knowledge of mathematics influenced subsequent
civilizations, such as the Greeks, who adopted and expanded upon Babylonian mathematical
concepts.
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● Astronomy - Babylonians were skilled astronomers who made precise observations of
celestial phenomena. They developed the first known comprehensive calendar, based on lunar
cycles, and tracked the movements of the planets and stars, contributing to the development of
astrology and aiding navigation.
● Astrology- Babylonians played a crucial role in the development of astrology, believing that
celestial events and the positions of celestial bodies influenced human affairs. Their
astrological texts became influential throughout the ancient world.

● Calendar system - The Babylonians devised a complex calendar system based on lunar
cycles. Their calendar, known as the Babylonian calendar or the lunisolar calendar, consisted of
12 lunar months, with each month beginning at the first sighting of the new moon.
To align the lunar calendar with the solar year, they introduced intercalary periods, additional
months inserted periodically.
The Babylonian calendar aimed to maintain synchronization with agricultural and religious
events. It influenced the development of subsequent calendars in the region, including
the Hebrew calendar.

● Construction of ziggurats - The Babylonians were renowned for their architectural

achievements, particularly the construction of ziggurats. Ziggurats were massive stepped towers
that served as religious temples and centers of worship.
These structures were built using baked bricks and had multiple tiers, each receding in size as
they ascended.
The ziggurats had a central sanctuary at the top, where religious rituals and offerings were
made to the deities. The most famous example is the Temple of Marduk in Babylon, known as
the Etemenanki, which was considered a sacred site and a symbol of the city’s power and
religious devotion.
● Utilization of cuneiform writing - The Babylonians utilized cuneiform writing, one of the
earliest known writing systems. They developed an extensive body of written records,
encompassing various genres such as literature, legal texts, administrative documents,
religious texts, and scientific treatises.
Cuneiform involved impressing wedge-shaped marks onto clay tablets using a stylus.
Babylonian scribes were highly skilled in writing and interpreting cuneiform, allowing them to
document historical events, preserve cultural heritage, and transmit knowledge across
generations.
The decipherment of cuneiform texts has provided valuable insights into the Babylonian
civilization and its contributions to various fields of knowledge.
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