Agriculture and State Development in the “Land Between the Rivers”

The Wealth of the Land

₪ Natural resources Tigris and Euphrates Rivers Fertile soil and abundant sunshine Wide variety of native plant and animal species Nearby mountains rich in metals, timber, and

semi-precious stones

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Obsidian Carnelian Lapis Lazuli

Semi-Precious Stones Like . . .

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Eridu … 1,700 Years of Temple Building

Diagram of Eridu with Temple

Complex

Abzu Temple of Enki, god of water and wisdom

Evidence of fish offerings

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Early-Dynastic Period

₪ City-states worship 1 deity plus a common pantheon Pantheon headed by Enlil, king of the gods

₪ Burial Practices differ Commoners buried under floor in homes

Few grave goods Elites buried in cemeteries

Lavish grave goods

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Gold Helmet

c. 2,400 BC

Silver Lyre

c. 2,500 BC

Gold and Carnelian

Necklace c. 2,400

“Scarlet Ware” Jar

c. 2,900 BC

Gold and Lapis

Dagger

c. 2,400 BC

Shell “Goat” Plaque

c. 2,400 BC

Excavation Site Royal Cemetery of Ur

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Gudea of Lagash

Statuary displays an unprecedented realism

Hands

folded

in

serene

piety

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Palace of Zimri-Lim

₪ Multi-storied mud-brick and timber edifice ₪ Inner courtyards enclosed by multiple rooms ₪ Drainage systems ₪ Elaborate frescoes and tapestries ₪ Fortified throne room ₪ Multiplicity of administrative, religious,

residential, and craft areas

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Palace of Zimri-Lim Excavation Site Click for Map

Remains of Palace Courtyard Click for Map

Halaf

Ubay

Nippur

Mari

Susa

Larsa

Isin

Karum Kanesh

Hattusa

Ugarit

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