History of Israel and the Jewish People

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Sumer Civilization

−2200

Hebrew year: 1561 (א׳תקס״א)

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The great ziggurat of Ur in southern Iraq, the stepped temple platform of the Sumerian city traditionally linked to Abraham's birthplace.
The great ziggurat of Ur in southern Iraq, the stepped temple platform of the Sumerian city traditionally linked to Abraham's birthplace. · Photo by Hardnfast, CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Sumer, was home to one particular city that arose called Ur. Thousands of clay tablets unearthed at the site revealed that Ur became a center of world trade, with a large cosmopolitan population. Furthermore, excavations at Ur revealed that its architects used the column, the arch, the vault, and the dome. Ur’s craftsmen produced exquisite jewellery, elaborately designed harps, and daggers with blades of pure gold. Its ziggurat temple is the best preserved of those found. The royal tombs of Ur yielded an abundance of objects including musical instruments such as the harp and a small steel axe that was also found.

It is thought that Ur, and thus the various Mesopotamian cities, had developed a social system including slaves, farmers, tradesmen, doctors, scribes, and priests. High-ranking priests apparently enjoyed great luxury and lived in mansions, and children were evidently taught writing and arithmetic.

In any case, the proximity to the Babel incident meant that this region of the world were some of the earliest peoples to advance their society, and their culture can found

Hebrew year
1561 (א׳תקס״א)
Place
Ur
Category
Major events
Part of
Primeval History

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HistoryEmpires & Dynasties