How Much Do You Know About The World's First Civilization?

The Sumerians flourished in the fertile crescent between approximately 4100 BC to 1750 BC. Although they only existed for a relatively short time, they made a significant mark on history, being credited with the invention of writing, a sophisticated number system, beer brewing, and the wheel, among other things. They died off and any trace of them was long forgotten until the 19th century when archeologists finally uncovered the long-buried artifacts that revealed the origins of civilization. Here are 20 amazing facts about Sumer. 

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1. They Invented The Wheel

Ancient Sumerians are credited with inventing the wheel. This extended beyond transforming transportation; they also created the first potter's wheel and waterwheel for lifting water. 

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2. They Had The First Known Written Law Code

Sumerians developed the first known law codes, the Code of Ur-Nammu and the Code of Lipit-Ishtar, addressing various aspects of life including marriages, penalties, and property rights. These laid the foundation for later law systems. 

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3. They Developed A Number System That's Still In Use

Sumerians developed the earliest known number system in 3000 BC. It was based on a factor of 60 and is still used today for time, angled, and geographic coordinates. 

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4. They Had A Complex Irrigation System

The Sumerians developed a sophisticated irrigation system that featured canals and dams. This allowed them to harness water for crops and facilitating trade routes. Without this advancement, their activities would've been limited to the nearby rivers.

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5. They Built Impressive Monuments

Sumerians built a number of ziggurats, stepped pyramids that served as homes of deities. The most well-preserved example is the Ziggurat of Ur in present-day Iraq. 

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6. They Had One Of The Earliest Known Writing Systems

The Sumerian writing system, Cuneiform, is the earliest known. They wrote down everything from administrative purposes to literature on clay tablets using a stylus made of reed. 

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7. They Divided Time Into Hours & Minutes

Sumerians developed a time system similar to the one we still use today. They separated the day into 12 periods, each of roughly two hours, and had a base-60 system that formed the foundation of the 60-minute hour and 60-second minute. 

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8. They Had A Woman Ruler

Sumerians kept a list of all their kings, of them is listed one woman which is pretty remarkable considering the amount of modern countries that have still never had a female head of state. Her name was Kubaba, a tavern keeper who later became a queen, her reign was one of prosperity and peace. 

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9. The City-States Were At Near-Constant War With Each Other

Despite being unified under a common language and culture, the city-states of Sumer were constantly at war with one another for control over resources, territory, and power. This infighting brought many military advancements but also made them vulnerable to outside conquest. 

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10. They Were Beer-Lovers

With archaeological evidence of beer dating as far back as the 4th century BC, Sumerians were some of the world's first brewers. They created a sort of ale from germinated barley seeds ground into a fine powder which they then mixed with water and boiled, then left to ferment. 

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11. They Were Well-Traveled

Sumerians created one of the world's first trade networks. Merchants journeyed to places like Lebanon and Afghanistan to obtain timber, stone, and minerals that they lacked in their homeland. They traveled using wheeled vehicles and oared boats. 

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12. The Hero Of The Epic Of Gilgamesh Was Likely Real

The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest known works of literature. It's an epic poem chronicling the adventures of a powerful king and demigod whom historians think is based on a real historical figure as the name Gilgamesh features in the "King List." 

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP on Wikimedia

13. They Made Significant Advancements To Geometry

Sumerians made major strides in geometry, particularly in practical applications like land measurement and the design and construction of canals. They also came up with a system for measuring areas and volumes of different shapes including circles and irregular forms. 

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14. They Were Forgotten Until The 19th Century

Sumerians ceased to exist somewhere around 2000 BC and all knowledge of them was forgotten and buried in the deserts of Iraq. It wasn't until the 19th century when French and British archaeologists finally uncovered the treasure trove of Sumerian artifacts hiding there. 

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15. They Created One Of The First Functioning Calendars

In around 2100 BC, the Sumerians created one of the first functioning calendars. Like the one we still use today, their calendar was divided into 12 lunar months, each with 29 or 30 days.

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16. They Created The World's First City

The Sumerian city of Eridu is often considered the world's first. It was established in around 5400 BC and grew into one of the most powerful city-states. 

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17. They Invented The Plow

Sumerians are credited with inventing the plow, a tool that would've revolutionized agriculture, around 5,000 years ago. It broke up soil and created furrows much more efficiently, enabling the growth of much larger agricultural populations. 

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18. They Were Early Pioneers In Metalwork

Sumerians were skilled in metallurgy, especially with copper and bronze which they used to make tools, weapons, and art. They developed techniques for soldering and creating alloys which continued to be used for centuries. 

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19. They Invented Siege Warfare

Because Sumerian city-states were constantly at war with each other, they needed to constantly develop their fighting techniques to stay competitive. They're credited with inventing siege warfare, where one side surrounds a fortified area to capture it through attrition and blockade.

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20. Their Language Was A Linguistic Isolate

Unlike other ancient and modern languages which can be linked to others, the Sumerian language has no known or extinct relatives. When Sumer collapsed around 2000 BC, the language gradually died off with it and was replaced with the Semitic Akkadian language. 

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