Mesopotamia: The Geography

of Ancient Mesopotamia

c. 3500 – 1200 BC/BCEStudents analyze the geographic, political, economic, social, and religious structures of the civilizations of Mesopotamia.

7th Grade World History

I will be able to identify and explain how maps help us understand the development of early culture

I will be able to define the 7 Elements of culture

The “River” as a metaphor for life –This is higher level thought

Maps are COOL.I WILL be able to teach others how maps affect culture

The seven elements of culture

1. Social Organization

2. Customs and Tradition

3. Language4. Art and Literature5. Religion6. Some form of

government7. Economic systems

of trade and barter

What is Culture?Culture – the ways of thinking, the ways of acting, and the material objects that together form a people’s way of life

Only humans rely on culture rather than instinct to ensure survival.

What do you have to know to get this joke?

Where tools do you see? (Technological)

What language do you see? (Sociological)

What stories do you see? (Ideological)

Who would get this joke?

Cultural Diffusion – YES, you need to know and apply this; When two people from different cultures

encounter each other, ideas tend to be exchanged which can become brand new ideas or adaptations of other ones.

This exchange of ideas and beliefs between two different cultures is referred to as cultural diffusion.

Examples of this can be Hispanic individuals making Italian pizza, Chinese people making Mexican food, Asian cultures following Roman Catholicism.

Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism

Cultural Relativism – the practice of evaluating a culture by that culture’s own standards.

Historical Map of Mesopotamia – I Notice, I wonder

Wednesday September 9

Do Now: Which of the 7 Elements of Culture do YOU think is the most important? WHY?

Learning target: I WILL explain why “The fertile crescent is considered “The Birthplace of Civilization?”

Direct instruction: Finish Powerpoint Are we good with the Vocab

Student Production: In small groups. Each group will discuss, answer and present ONE of the seven questions

Exit Slip: I’m still not sure about…..

Fertile Crescent – What additional information can you identify in your book?

Identify the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, and Persian Gulf.

Identify Caspian Sea and Black Sea, Dead Sea, and Sea of Galilee.

Important VocabularyMesopotamiafloodplainsiltariddroughtirrigationsurplusThe Tigris and Euphrates Rivers flooded and the Mesopotamian farmers learned how to irrigate to become successful farmers.

*the floods were unpredictable* the source of the rivers was in the mountains of what is today Turkey and Kurdistan.

In ancient times, it was easier to travel by boat than to travel on land. There were few roads and boats could carry heavy loads and be moved downstream by river currents.

The region of Mesopotamia is known as the “fertile crescent.” The rivers provided water and a means of travel.

Farmers learned how to take steps to control the water supply of early Mesopotamia. The silt left from the floodingof the rivers was deposited on the land and made theland fertile. In this arid land, the farmers were able to grow a surplus of crops. Irrigation allowed the earlypeople of Mesopotamia to survive and trade for other Items that they needed and wanted.

Mesopotamia was a land of fewresources. Homes were built outof reeds and dried mud and strawbricks. Mesopotamians had to usetheir surplus farm products to tradefor items they needed and wanted.

Walled CitiesBecause of few natural barriers, the Mesopotamians were often conquered of attacked by other groups of people. So they built brick walls around their towns and villages.

The walls were sometimes as much as25 feet thick. The walls had guardtowers and were often surrounded byan open ditch or a water-filled moat.

Because of their SURPLUS of crops, the Mesopotamians were able to specialize their jobs. Not everyone had to be a farmer!Mesopotamians traded for:

• Gold• Ivory• Ebony• Precious Stones• Wood• Stone• Copper• Tin

In return they traded:• Grain• Dates• Other farm products

1. Explain the importance of:• Mesopotamia• silt• arid• Drought

2. The rivers of Mesopotamia were important because….3. Mesopotamians watered their crops by …..4. Because of the lack of resources….

5. What did the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers provide for ancient Mesopotamians?6. How did the Mesopotamian farmers obtain the right amount of water for their crops?7. How did the lack of natural resources affect Mesopotamians?