1. Science and Technology
1.1. the shang invested time and resources into the development of bronze items.
1.1.1. meanwhile the Zhou empire developed the use of iron for tools, weapons, etc. they also developed the catapult.
1.1.2. the Zhou also invented chopstick for ease of eating food.
1.1.3. and finally the Zhou introduced coins as a form of currency to the empire.
1.2. Sumeria: Sumerians developed many Irrigation and water systems due to them being near a river.
1.2.1. Sumeria: Sumerians build a number system around the number 60, this allowed them to learn geometry. This is why Minutes are still in 60 and why we measure circles in 360 degrees.
1.2.2. Sumeria: Sumerians built the wheel, allowing them make pottery and vehicles off of them.
1.2.2.1. A Mesopotamian Wheel
1.2.3. Sumeria: Sumerians also learned to make plows and be able to make stronger tools and weapons from bronze.
2. Arts and Education
2.1. Sumeria: Sumeria has one of the first languages that being Cuneiform, taking sharp tools called styluses to make these marks into clay tablets.
2.1.1. Cuneform
2.1.2. Sumeria: Sumerians developed statues, arches, ramps, and columns. Along with being able to make Domes for structures.
2.1.3. Sumeria: Mesopotamian's made many sculptures of all sizes in both rounds and reliefs. They depicted animals, mythical creatures, gods and goddesses, and priests.
2.1.4. Sumeria: Sumerians made cylinder seals, cylinders with art drawn on them. Either made of clay or later in time metal.
2.2. the Shang/Zhou created their own written language and it was used to teach in schools.
2.2.1. they had 3 types of artisans 1 for bronze, one for jade, and one for iron.
2.2.2. they used jade to create ornate figurines which were sold and traded.
2.2.3. they used iron for weapons and tools. same with bronze.
3. Religion
3.1. Sumeria: Large Temples were erected in for the chief god of the city, build on top of a Ziggurats. Believing that a god protected every city-state.
3.1.1. A Sumerian Ziggurat
3.1.2. Sumeria: Believed that Gods were like humans in many way eating, sleeping, falling in love, and fighting. At the same time Gods still had tremendous power to cause floods and plentiful harvests.
3.1.3. Sumeria: Sumerians practiced Polytheism, believing the gods controlled the all natural elements like Enlil the god of storm and air.
3.1.4. Sumeria: Sumerians worked hard to please the Gods. Building Ziggurats and Temples to praise and please them. Priests/Priestesses would offer food and drink to the Gods in Ceremonies to please them.
3.2. Shang/Zhou: The shang/Zhou had a religion where they sacrifice POW's to serve the emperor in the afterlife.
3.2.1. they also used bones and turtle shells which they would read and inscribe onto.
3.2.2. another aspect is the dead were buried with valuables like jade and bronze.
3.2.3. finally they believed in the afterlife, the main base for their religion.
4. By Seth Krpichak and Jacob Lane
5. Economy and Trade
5.1. Sumeria: Sumer had little in the way of resources so Sumerians many got there metals, timber, and stone from trade across Southwest Asia and beyond.
5.1.1. Sumeria: Sumerians traded woven textiles for the resources they did not have.
5.1.2. Sumeria: The temples controlled most of the economy. With Caravans working with resources and for the temple and Craftsmen and Laborers working for the Temple almost like employees. Till the Kings grew in power.
5.1.3. Sumeria: As time passed Kings granted land and wealth to his officials and supporters. This created a separate market for goods and services from Kings and Temples.
6. Geography and Agriculture
6.1. the Shang/Zhou were surrounded by many different environments exposing them to a lot and making them resilient.
6.1.1. they also formed an efficient form of irrigation.
6.1.2. they were a huge empire that covered most of what is now china. their civilization started along the yellow river.
6.1.3. up in the mountains is where they found 2 of the 3 materials that made up their economy. . . iron and bronze.
6.2. Sumeria: Sumerians are in the Mesopotamian area of modern day Iraq. Mesopotamian being Greek for between the rivers since it is between the Tigris and Euphrates.
6.2.1. Map of Sumer
6.2.2. Sumeria: Due to them being between the Tigris and Euphrates they had to build many irrigation systems to sustain crops.
6.2.3. Sumeria: Sumerians have a lack of resources in the south of Mesopotamia, though North Mesopotamia has resources due to the mountains near them.
6.2.4. Sumeria: The area of Mesopotamia near the Persian Gulf is extremely swampy and allows for very fertile soil for farming.
7. Social Structure and Family Life
7.1. Sumeria: The Sumerian hierarchy of Society starts with the Kings and Priests, due to their status and then their principal agents. Next were the big landowners and wealthy merchants. Followed by a majority of Sumerians: artisans, farmers, and laborers. Finally were slaves captured from battle.
7.1.1. Sumeria: Women and Men were treated different and had different roles in the society. Men held political power and laws while Women took care of the kids and home.
7.1.2. Sumeria: Most women did not have the same education as men. Some higher class women received educations and held jobs as priestesses.
7.1.3. Sumeria: Women were raised from birth to be wives, and when Women reached puberty they were ready to be married off.
8. Government and Leader
8.1. Shang/Zhou: The Shang and Zhou dynasties had emperors from a royal family.
8.1.1. In an effort to keep order emperors would appoint governors to rule the outer areas of the empire.
8.1.2. The emperors had a court of wealthy nobles that performed rituals that were supposed to strengthen the empire.
8.1.3. The emperor also controlled the military and other than fighting enemies of the empire the military's role was to prevent riots.
8.2. Sumeria: Sumerians had war chiefs for kings. These kings were the chief representative of the state god. Holding ceremonies to please the gods.
8.2.1. Sumeria: Sumerian kings in the city states started to lead dynasties or a series of rulers from one family.
8.2.2. Sumeria: Priests/Priestesses held a high status in Sumer (Sumeria) and initially lead city states government.
8.2.3. Sumeria: Sumerian cities were all city states meaning that each city was independent from one and another. Each had their own ruler and government and would fight frequently