Sumerians
The
ancient Sumerians, the ‘black-headed ones,’ lived in the southern
part of what is now Iraq. The heartland of Sumer lay
between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, in what the Greeks later
called Mesopotamia. This territory, once skilfully irrigated,
proved very fertile, and major cities had long been in existence
before the period when archaeologists can identify the Sumerian
people themselves.
The Sumerians were characteristically inventive, and are likely
to have been responsible for the development of the first writing.
Well before 3000 BC Sumerians were recording their language using
simple pictures. They wrote on tablets of clay, later evolving the
script that to us is known as cuneiform, or ‘wedge-shaped.’
They were energetic farmers, traders and sailors. Their religion
recognised many gods, whose feats and escapades were described in
stories that were often preserved for generations. Rituals as
well as parties were enlivened by skilful harpists and singers, and
Sumerian musical instruments have even been excavated by modern
archaeologists.
Book-keeping was a feature of Sumerian life, and very detailed
records on clay tablets of offerings, rations, taxes and
agricultural work have come down to us. Their favourite board
game achieved popularity throughout the whole Middle Eastern
world. Imported lapis lazuli and carnelian was much prized
for inlays and jewellery.
Archaeology has shown that in about 2500 BC the ruling elite in
the city of Ur went to their final resting place surrounded by
their wealth and the attendant bodies of their court personnel.
Image caption: The Standard of Ur
From Ur, southern Iraq, about 2600-2400 BC