what was invented by the Sumerians
The Sumerians, an ancient civilization that emerged in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) around 4500 BC, made several important inventions that greatly influenced human civilization. Some notable inventions by the Sumerians include:
1. Writing System: The Sumerians developed the earliest known writing system called Cuneiform around 3500 BC. It involved using shaped wedges to make impressions on clay tablets, enabling them to record information, administrative records, literature, and other forms of written communication.
2. Wheel: The Sumerians are credited with inventing the wheel between 3500 and 3000 BC. The wheels were initially used for pottery-making but later found various applications, such as transportation, making chariots, and revolutionizing agriculture.
3. Mathematics and Number System: The Sumerians developed a complex mathematical system based on the concept of a base-60, which influenced how we divide time and measure angles (360 degrees in a circle). They also used an advanced decimal number system with a placeholder symbol for zero.
4. Irrigation Systems: To support their agriculture, the Sumerians built elaborate irrigation systems with canals, dikes, and reservoirs. These systems allowed for better water distribution across their agricultural lands, increasing crop yields and helping in the development of urban centers.
5. City-States: The Sumerians are credited with being the earliest known civilization to develop and govern city-states. These independent cities, such as Uruk and Ur, were self-contained political and economic entities, with centralized administrations, legal systems, and specialized labor divisions.
6. Sewers and Plumbing: Sumerians built sophisticated underground sewage systems and drainage networks to manage waste and maintain hygiene within their cities. They used clay pipes and built large cesspits for waste disposal.
7. The Arch: Although arches were used in earlier structures, the Sumerians perfected the construction of arches and vaults, enabling them to build larger and more durable structures, including ziggurats and other monumental buildings.
These inventions and advancements made by the Sumerians laid the foundation for many subsequent civilizations and significantly shaped human civilization as we know it today.