Ancient Civilizations: Mesopotamia
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Title:
| Ancient Civilizations: Mesopotamia |
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Description:
| Explore the ancient civilization of the Mesopotamia. Read about their writing system, counting, math system, medicine, and more. See the art, culture, and history of this ancient civilization as well as the Assyrians from Northern Mesopotamia. Included is an interactive website about the temples of Sumer, Babylon and Assyria. Read an overview about the gods and goddesses of ancient Sumer. See beautiful pictures of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. There is also a site that explains Hammurabi's Code and gives students sample situations to solve using the code. Includes lesson plans, virtual Mesopotamia, maps, and classroom activities. |
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Grade Level:
| 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
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Resource Links:
| Title: Mesopotamia by The British Museum
This site is created by the British Museum. Learn about people, geography, gods, goddesses, demons and monsters, time, and writing. In each section, scroll down to read a story, explore maps and pictures, and solve an interactive challenge game.
Cuneiform
An essay about the writing system of ancient Mesopotamia. The page also contains links to other ancient writing systems, and to a history of Mesopotamian cultures such as the Akkadians.
The Assyrians
A description of the history and culture of northern Mesopotamia.
Cuneiform Numbers
A discussion of ancient Mesopotamian counting and math systems. Includes two printable worksheets and links to more information about Mesopotamian mathematics, culture, and history.
Ziggurats
An interactive website about the temples of Sumer, Babylon and Assyria. Includes an archaeological exploration of a temple, and a ziggurat-building game.
NOTE: Game requires Shockwave.
Mesopotamia: Writing
An essay about cuneiform writing and clay tablets. The site features an interactive clay tablet repair game.
Code of Hammurabi
This site explains Hammurabis Code, and gives students sample situations to solve using the code. Also includes suggested lesson plans for grades 4-8 by clicking on the Teachers Page link at the top of the page. Note: Many external links are broken. This site includes ads.
Art of the First Cities: The Third Millennium
Metropolitan Museum of Art explores the history, culture, and customs of countries from the Mediterranean to the Indus Valley in 3,000 B.C. Includes descriptions, maps, and photos of Mesopotamian artifacts.
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
A description of the famous Babylonian gardens. The site also features links to other wonders of the ancient world. NOTE: The logo in the top left corner leads to a page with a Guestbook.
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
An in-depth discussion of the Babylonian Gardens, including an explanation of the irrigation systems and a digital reconstruction of the site. NOTE: Site contains banner ads and pop-up ads.
Why Do Civilizations Fall?
Learn what led to the fall of ancient Mesopotamia, or read about other collapsed civilizations.
BBC: History: Mesopotamia
Click on an image to learn about Mesopotamia civilization including geography, prehistoric figurines, writing, architecture, and more. NOTE: This site has a link to a message board.
Mesopotamia Artifacts
View artifacts with description found in Mesopotamia region. Click on the picture to enlarged view.
Lesson Plan: The Emergence and Evolution of the Cuneiform Writing System in Ancient Mesopotamia
There are four activities in this lesson plan focusing on Mesopotamia civilization and its writing system. Includes resources such as timeline, graphic organizers, and Mesopotamia job list.
National Geographic: Mesopotamia
Watch a video clip from National Geographic telling about the legacy of law, literature, and engineering left by Mesopotamia civilization.
ThinkQuest: A Taste of History: Food Through the Ages
Find out what kind of food Mesopotamians had at their time. Includes a recipe at the bottom of a page.
ThinkQuest: Mesopotamian Medicine
Learn history of ancient medicine in Mesopotamia. Follow links on the right to find more information about the topic. NOTE: This site has links to external websites.
The Royal Game of Ur
This site teaches you how to play the Mesopotamian Royal Game of Ur, similar to backgammon.
Lesson Plan: Cuneiform Writing
This lesson plan is best suited for students grades 6-8 and teaches them about the cuneiform writing system used in ancient Mesopotamia. Within the plan are helpful links to related websites and activities.
Mesopotamian Timeline
Use this timeline to learn more about the historical advances in Mesopotamia from 8000-2000 B.C.
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Education Standards:
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AR Standards:
H.6.7.4.a, H.6.7.33, H.6.7.21.a
IL Standards:
16.5.42, 16.5.44, 16.5.64, 16.5.91, 16.8.43, 16.8.96
MO Standards:
1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.4, 6, 3b.A.1.c3
NV Standards:
H.3.8.3.e, H.3.8.4.f
UT Standards:
WC.1.3.a.a, WC.1.3.b.b, WC.1.3.c.c
If you are an eMINTS teacher and standards have not been defined for your
state, click the button below to request that they be assigned to this resource.
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