Ancient Civilizations

1. Sumeria

1.1. Mesopotamia means “land between the rivers” in Greek.

1.2. To record the number of fish given to a temple, for example, Sumerian priests drew a fish.

1.3. Sumeria is the name given to the civilization that developed in the Mesopotamia region as city-states.

2. Huang

2.1. Much of China is covered by rugged mountains and vast deserts.

2.2. At times, the Chinese also used oracle bones to record important events related to their questions.

2.3. The Shang leaders organized groups of farmers to clear and prepare new land.

3. Indus

3.1. Indus Valley farmers built irrigation channels and ditches

3.2. Scholars have not yet discovered how to read the symbols found on the stone seals and pottery of the Indus Valley.

3.3. The Indus Valley people had a strong central government.

4. Egypt

4.1. As in the Fertile Crescent, Egypt’s civilization developed in a river valley with rich soil.

4.2. A Hieroglyphic is a drawing or symbol that represents a word or a sound.

4.3. During the 3000s B.C., two kingdoms developed in Egypt. Legends say that Narmer united the two kingdoms in about 3000 B.C.