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Sumerians are known for their advances in technology, irrigation, and architecture. But what kind of technology did they use?
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The Sumerians and their technology
The Sumerians were one of the earliest urban societies in the world, and they used a wide variety of technologies in their daily lives. Some of the most important technologies used by the Sumerians were irrigation systems, writing, and astronomy.
Irrigation systems were important to the Sumerians because they allowed them to farm in an area that otherwise would have been too dry. The Sumerians also used writing to keep records of their daily lives and their astronomical observations. This allowed them to pass down their knowledge to future generations.
The wheel
The wheel was invented by the Sumerians in Mesopotamia in the late 4th millennium BC. It was one of the most important inventions of civilizations and had a profound impact on society.
The chariot
The chariot was one of the most important pieces of technology used by the Sumerians. Chariots were first developed in Mesopotamia around 3500 BCE, and they quickly became an essential part of Sumerian warfare. Chariots allowed the Sumerians to move quickly across the battlefield and to attack their enemies with great force. They were also used for transportation and for hunting.
The plow
The plow was one of the most Important tools used by the Sumerians. It was used to loosen and turn the soil, making it easier to plant and harvest crops. The plow was pulled by oxen or donkeys, and was often made out of wood or metal.
The irrigation system
The Sumerians had an irrigation system which was used to bring water from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers to the fields. The system consisted of a network of canals and dikes which were built by the Sumerians. The canals were used to transport water from the rivers to the fields, and the dikes were used to hold back the water in the canals.
The sailboat
The sailboat was one of the first technologies used by the Sumerians. Sailboats were used to transport people and goods between Mesopotamia and other parts of the world. The sailboat allowed the Sumerians to trade with other cultures and to expand their empire.
The potter’s wheel
The first wheel-thrown pots appeared in ancient Mesopotamia, in the area known today as Iraq, around 3500 BCE. The potter’s wheel was probably invented to make it easier to form clay pots by hand. The invention of the wheel-thrown pot had a profound impact on ceramic production, which quickly spread throughout the ancient world.
The kiln
The Sumerians were skilled artisans and engineers, and they used a number of tools and technologies in their everyday lives. One of the most important was the kiln, which they used to fire pottery, baked bricks, and other objects. The kiln was a simple but effective way to heat materials to high temperatures, and it was an essential tool in the Sumerian workshop.
The brick
An article on the brick as a technology used by the Sumerians.
In Mesopotamia, bricks were usually made of sun-dried mud, which was plentiful in the area. To make bricks, workers would first gather clay from the ground and then shape it into rectangular forms using a mold. Once the clay had been shaped, it would be dried in the sun for several days or weeks until it became hard enough to be used as a building material.
The Sumerians also used bricks to create cylindrical objects such as vases and jars. To make these objects, workers would first shape the clay into a long cylinder using their hands or a mold. Once the clay had been shaped, it would be dried in the sun and then fired in a kiln to harden it further.
The writing
The Mesopotamians used a system which is called ‘cuneiform writing’. This is where you use a wedge-shaped tool to make marks in wet clay. Once it has dried, you have your very own tablet!
