Mesopotamia Scavenger Hunt

World Cultures Class

Mrs. Zimmer

 

Geography of Mesopotamia:

 

What country, that’s in the news now, occupies approximately the same area as Mesopotamia?

 

What does the term Mesopotamia actually mean?

 

 

What are the names of the rivers?

 

 

Read the section on climate, and then summarize their climate.  Add another sentence explaining why/how they could produce so much food.

 

 

 

 

A major city of this region was called Babylon.  It was ideal for trade…why?  Be sure you explain your answer…don’t just list things.

 

 

 

Early traders were only able to navigate certain portions of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.  Read about both of these rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates, and then tell me which one was only navigable in the lower portions.  Then explain how YOU think this would affect trade for those people.

 

 

 

Look at the two rivers on this map carefully.  There is a confluence shown.  What is a confluence?  If necessary, check the definition.

 

 

 

 

Also tell me why the Tigris could NOT be navigated very far upstream.  Again, this would have an affect on trade and the development of cities—be sure you understand the connections between the two.

 

 

 

Writing in Mesopotamia:

 

Cuneiform was the name of their writing system.  Read about cuneiform and then answer the questions below.

 

What did they write ON and how were their writings preserved?

 

 

 

 

 

What is a stylus and how was it used?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cuneiform is an interesting language that changed over the years.  Read carefully and then explain WHY it changed.

Also explain the two developments that made cuneiform quicker and easier.

 

Sometimes a cylinder seal was used instead of a stylus. These were especially useful for people who did not know how to read and write, which was most of the people.  Learn about cylinder seals, and then sketch a few symbols you might have used to create a cylinder seal that represents you.  Draw the symbols on your worksheet inside a cylinder shape. 

 

 

  

Would you like to see your name written in cuneiform?  Follow the directions carefully and you will see your name on the screen.  You will then need to copy those symbols onto to your worksheet.

 

Along with a written language, the Mesopotamians also developed and used a number system.  Look at the examples carefully and try to write a few numbers on your worksheet.  Follow the links on that page to learn how to write numbers larger than 60, how to pronounce the numbers, and finally a worksheet you can practice on.  Do the worksheet problems on your World Cultures worksheet.