Sumerians: Inventors of Civilization

Q: Who were the Sumerians?

The Sumerians were the people of ancient Sumer (modern-day southern Iraq) whose civilization flourished between circa 4000 and 1750 BCE. The Sumerians invented the concept of the city, writing, schools, irrigation techniques, and many other aspects of civilization taken for granted today.

Q: Where was ancient Sumer located?

Ancient Sumer was located in Southern Mesopotamia (modern-day southern Iraq).

Q: When was ancient Sumer discovered?

Ancient Sumer was discovered in the mid-19th century by archaeologists sent to the Near East to find physical evidence to support the historicity of the narratives of the biblical Old Testament. Prior to this time, no one knew Sumer had ever existed.

Q: What are the Sumerians famous for?

The Sumerians are famous for many cultural "firsts," including the first cities, writing, irrigation techniques, schools, written laws, government, beer, and epic literature, among many others. They invented so many "firsts" that they can be considered the Inventors of Civilization.

Joshua J. Mark

Definition

The Sumerians were the people of southern Mesopotamia (modern-day southern Iraq) whose civilization flourished between circa 4000 and 1750 BCE. Their name comes from the region, which is frequently – and incorrectly – referred to as a "country." However, Sumer was never a cohesive political entity, but a region of city-states, each with its own king.

More about: Sumerians

Timeline

c. 6500 BCE - 4000 BCE
The Ubaid period in Sumer.
c. 5400 BCE
The city of Eridu is founded.
c. 5000 BCE - c. 4500 BCE
The city of Uruk founded.
c. 5000 BCE
Evidence of burial in Sumer.
c. 4500 BCE
The Sumerians built their first temple.
c. 4000 BCE - c. 1750 BCE
Sumerian civilization in the Tigris-Euphrates valley.
4000 BCE - 3100 BCE
Uruk period in Mesopotamia. First cities.
c. 3600 BCE
Invention of writing in Sumer at Uruk.
c. 3200 BCE
First instance of written language in Sumerian.
c. 2900 BCE - c. 2334 BCE
The Early Dynastic period in Sumer.
c. 2500 BCE
Beginning of literature in Sumerian.
2350 BCE
First code of laws by Urukagina, king of Lagash.
c. 2150 BCE - c. 1400 BCE
The tales of Gilgamesh written which inform the Epic of Gilgamesh.
c. 2112 BCE - c. 2004 BCE
The Ur III period in Sumer, known as the Sumerian Renaissance.
c. 1772 BCE
The Code of Hammurabi: One of the earliest codes of law in the world.
1750 BCE
Elamite invasion and Amorite migration ends the Sumerian civilization.