1. Sumer
1.1. Lacked raw materials such as wood, metal, and stone.
1.2. They traded with people across south east asia
1.3. Distant trading created a local hierarchy
1.4. They traded woven textiles for materials
2. Geography & Agriculture
2.1. Sumer
2.1.1. They lived in a area called Mesopotamia and around the fertile crescent
2.1.2. They soil was so rich because it lied between 2 rivers the Tigris and Euphrates
2.1.3. They rivers usually flooded in the spring then the floods left behind good fertile soil
2.1.4. The downfall is when the snow melted without warning the rivers would flood wiping away crops and sometimes villages
2.2. Shang-Zhou
2.2.1. China had fertile soils, long rivers, and isolated valleys.
2.2.2. Annual floods brought rich soil to rivreside civilizations.
2.2.3. The majority of Shang-Zhou cities were by rivers
2.2.4. Loess was a fine dusty soil which helped with agriculture
3. Economy and Trade
3.1. Shang-Zhou
3.1.1. The Zhous backbone of their economy was iron.
3.1.2. The Shang traded mostly crops and food due to them being a mostly agricultural society
3.1.3. Shang traded lots of bronze
3.1.4. The Zhou also traded food surpluses
4. Religion
4.1. Sumer
4.1.1. Sumerians were polytheistic
4.1.2. And believed in gods that controlled all natural forces. Like Enlil ruled air and storms.
4.1.3. They also built temples to parish the gods
4.1.4. And also believed gods that were much like them
4.2. Shang-Zhou
4.2.1. They apply heat to bones and the cracks represented answers to questions. these were called oracle bones.
4.2.2. Archaeologists found sacrificed slaves in tombs for rulers which means the Shang-Zhou believed in an afterlife.
4.2.3. Shang-Zhou worship ancestors
4.2.4. They also buried goods in the tombs with emperors
5. Science and Technology
5.1. Sumer
5.1.1. The Sumerians developed a math system based on the number 60.
5.1.2. The Sumerians also made many scientific advances. They invented the wheel, which they used to make pottery and a variety of vehicles.
5.1.3. They learned how to use geometry to build big structures and irrigation systems
5.1.4. They also invented the plow and learned how to use bronze to make better weapons and tools
5.2. Shang-Zhou
5.2.1. The Zhou learned to forge iron.
5.2.2. Zhou began the use of chopsticks and coins in china
5.2.3. They made a calender based on the cycles of the moon
5.2.4. The Zhou created the catapult and made the first cavarly
6. Social Structure and Family
6.1. Sumer
6.1.1. kings were above all, Wealthy merchants were next important, then artisans and common people, then slaves
6.1.2. Men held political power while women did housework and cared for kids
6.1.3. Sumerians were mostly farmers
6.1.4. Slaves were often used as farm labor and other scrutinous jobs
6.2. Shang-Zhou
6.2.1. farmers were occasionally called on to build large structures or fight in armies.
6.2.2. Nobles enjoyed lots of wealth and power
6.2.3. Most people were farmers
6.2.4. for the most part only upper class were given education
7. Government and Leaders
7.1. Sumer
7.1.1. Priests had high status and initially governed the city.
7.1.2. Eventually they kings had dynasty.
7.1.3. Then the war chiefs began to rule and they performed ceremonies to please the gods.
7.1.4. Men held political power and women took care of the childernn
7.2. Shang-Zhou
7.2.1. Kings ruled the Shang-Zhou empire
7.2.2. Kings surrounded themselves with nobles
7.2.3. The king appointed governors to rule distant lands
7.2.4. Most elite government officials had time to pursue leisurely activities
8. Arts and Education
8.1. Shang-Zhou
8.1.1. The Shang inscribed decorations on tools.
8.1.2. The Shang decorated coffins of there deceased rulers.
8.1.3. The arts of the early Xi Zhou were essentially a continuation of those of the Shang dynasty
8.1.4. The ritual bronzes of the early Western Zhou continued the late Anyang tradition; many were made by the same craftsmen and by their descendants.
8.2. Sumer
8.2.1. They use arches ramps and columns on the ziggurats
8.2.2. When they make statues they make large wide opened eyes
8.2.3. Also make small objects out of ivory
8.2.4. There most famous works were its cylinder seals engraved with detailed designs