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What is the oldest known ancient civilization, and why is it significant?

Tyrek Whalebelly

The oldest known ancient civilization is the Sumerian civilization, which was established around 4000 BCE in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). The significance of the Sumerians lies not only in their extraordinary achievements, but also in the fact that they pioneered many of the essential features of human civilization.

As the first known civilization in history, the Sumerians developed a system of writing known as cuneiform, which they used to record their laws, religion, and daily life. They also developed the first known form of government, which was a city-state model with kings and bureaucracies. Additionally, they invented the wheel, the plow, and irrigation systems, transforming the fertile land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers into a thriving agricultural region known as the Fertile Crescent. In the process, they created the world's first cities and laid the groundwork for the urbanization that we see around us today.

The Sumerians were a religious people, worshipping a pantheon of gods and goddesses that represented various elements of their world. They built magnificent temples, such as the ziggurat in Ur, where they conducted religious ceremonies and offered sacrifices. They also believed in an afterlife, which they envisioned as a shadowy underworld ruled by the goddess Ereshkigal.

Despite their remarkable impact on human history, the Sumerians remain a somewhat enigmatic civilization. We do not know what language they spoke before adopting Akkadian as their lingua franca, or what their religious beliefs and practices were like prior to the rise of Sumerian city-states. Nor do we know why their civilization eventually declined and was replaced by the Babylonians and Assyrians.

One thing we do know, however, is that the Sumerians set the stage for much of what followed in human history. Without their innovations in writing, government, agriculture, and religion, our world today would be unrecognizable. By asking questions about this ancient civilization and seeking to understand its legacy, we can gain valuable insights into our own past and present.