1. Writing and City Life
City life began in Mesopotamia, where early urbanization was linked to the development of writing, trade, and a complex division of labor. The region's geographical features supported agricultural practices that created surpluses, leading to the emergence of cities. The introduction of cuneiform writing marked significant advances in record-keeping and intellectual heritage.
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What we have learnt
- Mesopotamia is the cradle of early civilization, known for its writing system, literature, and urban life.
- The development of agriculture and city life was influenced by geographical factors such as river systems for irrigation.
- Writing emerged as a crucial tool for administration and trade, facilitating record-keeping and the expansion of urban culture.
Key Concepts
- -- Cuneiform
- The earliest form of writing developed by the Sumerians around 3200 BCE, using wedge-shaped signs pressed into clay tablets.
- -- Urbanism
- The social and economic processes that lead to the development of cities, characterized by a concentration of population and specialized labor.
- -- Sumerian and Akkadian
- The primary languages spoken in Mesopotamia, with Sumerian being the first known language and Akkadian gradually replacing it around 2400 BCE.
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