Blue+5

Project Guiding Framework/Questions
Locate and describe the major river systems. Discuss the physical settings that supported permanent settlement and early civilizations. Trace the development of agricultural techniques that permitted the production of economic surplus. Explain the emergence of cities as centers of culture and power Where did early settlers establish the first civilization? Why was the area suitable for farming? What did the settlers do to make the area more productive? What happened as a result of increased production of food?

Suggested Topics
Geography Farming Techniques Food Surplus/ Division of Labor Cities

The earliest settlers establish the first civilization on Southwest Asia about 6000 years ago. The area was suitable for farming because the Nile river made regular flooding that made rich soil.The settlers built canals on the Nile to protect the houses from flooding.And to move water to their fields. They used irrigation to store water to an area of land. Wen time passed one new land was created along the Euphrates and Tigris. Those lands were developed by Akkadian. They kept peace with the Sumerians or Sumer until the 2300s B.C.
 * Geography-**


 * Farming Techniques-** To control the water flow, the Mesopotamians built canals. The canals helped to irrigate the land. The irrigation alowed Mesopotamians to grow more crops. They built banks to protect the crops from flooding. The floods were caused by the turkish mountains in the late spring early summer. One reason they used irrigation was because it didn't rain enough there.


 * Food Surplus/ Division of Labor-** The irrigation system increased the amount of food that could be grown. The irrgation system required fewer farmers. This allowed people to pursue other type of work. People became crafters, religious leaders and government workers.


 * Cities-** The cities of mesopatamia made great progress. The first sailing vessel had beeen found in an Urbaid level in Eridu. And it can be possible that animal plows were already been in use. The cities in mesopatamia were divided into three parts, the inner which belonged to the gods and the ruler's palace.Crops and farm animals to help the population. And a commercial part used for trading.


 * Hammurabi's Code**- Hammurabi was a great war leader and also a person able to govern the Babylons. His power expanded to all of Mesopotamia.The reason he became more powerful is because he was able to see over many buildings and improve Babylons tax collections. He also made 282 laws to the people to read and follow. He called these laws Hammurabi's code. Here are some of them. This number 14 If any one steal the minor son of another, he shall be put to death. If a slave say to his master: "You are not my master," if they convict him his master shall cut off his ear.