The Inventions and Innovations of Ancient Sumer

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This engaging educational video explores the ancient civilization of Sumer, located in Mesopotamia, and its profound impact on human history. The video breaks down Sumerian society into five key categories of advancement: political, religious, cultural, economic, and technological. It explains how Sumer developed city-states, complex religious systems involving ziggurats and polytheism, the first writing system (cuneiform), and foundational economic practices like banking and trade networks. The content highlights specific inventions that revolutionized the world, such as the wheel, the plow, the sailboat, and a base-60 mathematical system still used for measuring time today. It also delves into the social structure of Sumer, examining the hierarchy from kings and priests down to farmers and enslaved people, as well as gender roles within the society. Designed for middle school history curriculums, this video provides a comprehensive overview of how Sumerian innovations laid the groundwork for future civilizations. It encourages students to recognize the enduring legacy of these ancient advancements in their modern lives, making connections between ancient history and contemporary systems of government, economy, and technology.