Uncovering the Advancements and Beliefs of the Sumerian Civilization From Cuneiform to Ziggurat

Uncovering the Advancements and Beliefs of the Sumerian Civilization From Cuneiform to Ziggurat - The Sumerians are considered to be one of the earliest civilizations in human history, and they developed many important innovations that laid the foundations for future civilizations. 

They created the first system of writing, using cuneiform script on clay tablets, which allowed them to record laws, religious texts, and other forms of important information. 

They also developed irrigation systems that allowed them to farm the fertile land along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which supported a large and complex society. 

Additionally, the Sumerians made significant advancements in technology such as wheel, the potter’s wheel and bronze-working, mathematics, and architecture, building large and complex cities. 

They also had a complex religion, with a pantheon of gods, who controlled nature and human fate, and for that reason, They built many temples and ziggurat, large terraced structures, as places of worship.

The Epic of Gilgamesh is considered to be one of the world's first great works of literature, and it was written in cuneiform script on clay tablets. 

The story is a mixture of historical, mythical and imaginary events, and it tells the tale of the semi-mythical King of Uruk, Gilgamesh, and his search for immortality. 

The story has been praised for its complex characters, psychological depth, and the themes it addresses, such as the search for meaning in life, the fear of death, and the human condition.

Also, the Sumerians are credited as the inventors of the wheel. The earliest discovered wheel dating back to 3500 BCE in Mesopotamia, and it was used primarily for transportation, such as in chariots, and for pottery-making. 

It revolutionized transportation, making it more efficient and helping to spur the growth of trade and commerce. It also greatly contributed in making complex architectural structure such as ziggurat as well.

Sumerians indeed had advanced shipbuilding technology. Sumerians not only traded with the Harappans in northern India, but also with other civilizations along the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. 

They exported their own goods, such as textiles, leather goods, and jewelry, and imported a variety of valuable items, including semi-precious stones, copper, pearls, and ivory. 

The ships they built were typically made of reeds, which were abundant in the marshy areas around the Gulf, and they were able to navigate the open seas as well as travel up and down the rivers.

Sumerians are one of the first ancient civilizations who had a concept of 'international trade' which is a key step in the development of human society and economy.

Sumerian religion was polytheistic and the Sumerians believed in a pantheon of gods and goddesses who controlled various aspects of nature and human life. They had gods for the sky, earth, water, the underworld, and many other things. 

These gods were often represented in human form, with their own distinct personalities, roles and characteristics. 

Temples were built to honor and worship these gods, and many of these temples were located at the top of massive ziggurat. These ziggurat were often the tallest structure in the city and were intended to bring the gods closer to the people.

The ziggurat were constructed using brick, and were sometimes painted in bright colors and adorned with intricate carvings. They were typically several stories tall and had a shrine or temple at the top, where the priests could perform rituals and make offerings to the gods. 

The construction of these ziggurat would have required a significant amount of labor and resources, and would have taken many years to complete. 

It was also a significant engineering achievement, which showcases the high level of skills and knowledge the Sumerians had in construction, architecture and mathematics.