1. Arts and Education
1.1. Sumerian
1.1.1. The Sumerians had many types of architecture including ramps, arches, and columns.
1.1.2. The Sumerian statues had large, wide-open eyes, as well as small objects carved out of ivory.
1.1.3. One of the Sumerians most famous works of art are the cylinder seals- small stone cylinders engraved with detailed designs.
1.1.4. Sumerians used their cylinder seals to show ownership and even to sign documents.
1.2. Shang Dynasty
1.2.1. The Shang were best known for their skill in making bronze objects and tools.
1.2.2. They learned how to use iron in their tools and weapons, and helped strengthen their army.
1.2.3. The painters represented the world around them in their artwork. They mainly painted on pottery and tomb walls.
1.2.4. There was a written language engraved on different things like turtle shells.
2. Geography and agriculture
2.1. Sumerian
2.1.1. They Developed the first civilization in which they named "Sumer".
2.1.2. The buildings were mostly made from mud because other supply was scarce.
2.1.3. As supplies became scarce and the city state grew, they increasingly fought over rights to land, food, and water.
2.1.4. They Created a massive wall that surrounded the city made from mud and other sources.
2.2. Shang Dynasty
2.2.1. The Shang Dynasty was formed around 1766 according to many archaeologists.
2.2.2. Historians believe that the first Chinese civilization began in the Huang He valley, which was created by the Shang people.
2.2.3. Shang China was mostly an agricultural society and most people spent their time farming and gathering crops.
2.2.4. Many Shang people spent their free time hunting big game for sport. The wealthiest of people in the Shang community enjoyed spending time collecting expensive objects made from bronze or jade.
3. Social Structure and Family Life
3.1. Sumerian
3.1.1. Sumerians had their own writing called cuneiform. To write, they often used sharp tools called called "styluses" to make different shaped symbols on clay tablets.
3.1.2. The Sumerians often paid scribes to to create written documents for them. Most of the paid scribes were men although, few upper-class women learned how to write.
3.1.3. There are pretty much 3 different social classes in the Sumerian culture. The highest class was "upper class". The upper class consisted of nobles, priests, government officials, and warriors. The second highest class contained merchants, traders, and artisans. The lowest class mostly consisted of slaves.
3.1.4. In Sumerian society and most societies at the time, men were looked at as higher and more valuable than women. Men often ruled women with brute force and treated them almost like slaves. Women's main purpose in Sumerian society was to run the household and cook food.
3.2. Shang Dynasty
3.2.1. The Shang Dynasty also had social classes and some awfully similar to Sumerians. Most of the high class people in Shang Dynasty were mostly land owners, aristocrats, and soldiers. Second highest class consisted of bronze workers and some small land owners. The lowest class in the Shang Dynasty were called peasants a.k.a. slaves.
3.2.2. In The Shang Dynasty, women, like in the Sumerian culture, were looked at as inferior to men.
3.2.3. Women most of the time got no respect from their family members and were treated as slaves or servants to men.
3.2.4. The Pharaohs were the highest social class during the Shang Dynasty.
4. Science and Technology
4.1. Sumerian
4.1.1. The people invented the wheel witch helped in pottery and also the advancement of vehicles.
4.1.2. They invented the plow which helped for farming.
4.1.3. The Sumerians created basic medical knowledge and performed basic surgeries.
4.1.4. They invented bronze which helped in making weapons and tools.
4.2. Shang Dynasty
4.2.1. The Shang dynasty invented the lunar calendar which predicted harvests,deaths, and births.
4.2.2. They invented the horse drawn chariot which helped the exxel in war.
4.2.3. The people invented invented wrighting style.
4.2.4. The shang dynasty invented chopssticksso now people now dont have to eat with there hands.
5. Government and Leaders
5.1. Sumerian
5.1.1. The Sumerian government started with the creation of city states.
5.1.2. Multiple CItys were ruled by a one priest.
5.1.3. There government was a monarchy and a democracy.
5.1.4. The laws of the Sumerians were created by the coart and not the king.
5.2. Shang Dynasty
5.2.1. Shang dynasty were a monarchy so there king was also a judge and a lawmaker.
5.2.2. Which ever clan had the better army would rule the civilization.
5.2.3. The king ruled from 200 to 300 clans.
5.2.4. In the Shang dynasty when the king died his son would take over the role.
6. Economy and Trade
6.1. Sumerian
6.1.1. Some jobs of the sumerians included pottery makers, stone cutters, bricklayers, metal smiths, farmers, fishers, shepherds, weavers leather workers, and sailers.
6.1.2. The people traded food, clothing, and manufactured items.
6.1.3. The Sumerians engaged in long distance trade.
6.1.4. The Sumerian economy was based on agriculture which was influenced by major technological advances.
6.2. Shang Dynasty
6.2.1. When they learned how to use iron it became the backbone of the economy.
6.2.2. The Zhou introduced different coins to China around 701 BC.
6.2.3. New iron tools increased trade and raised the economy by creating more jobs.
6.2.4. The Shang dynasty relied heavily on agriculture.
7. Religion
7.1. Sumerian
7.1.1. The people practiced polytheism- the worship of many gods.
7.1.2. The people believed the gods controlled all natural forces.
7.1.3. The people believed the gods protected each city-state.
7.1.4. The people built temples to offer the gods food and drinks, and also held ceremonies.
7.2. Shang Dynasty
7.2.1. They centered the idea of ancestor worship. They offered gifts to their deceased ancestors to keep them happy in the afterlife.
7.2.2. They buried deceased people in tombs, and put valuable items of jade and bronze with them.
7.2.3. They often asked ancestors for advice through the use of an oracle bone- inscribed bits of animal bone or turtle shell. Specially trained priests interpreted the bone to receive the answer.
7.2.4. They buried deceased people in tombs, and laid food and valuable items on top.