Art History REGION The Fertile Crescent Lands Watch Mesopotamian Mesopotamian art refers to the works made by the of the ancient Near East that lived in the region between the and Rivers, modern day Iraq region, from to the 6th century BC. The Sumerians were the first civilizing people to settle in the lands of southern Mesopotamia, draining the marshes for , starting trade, and establishing new forms of ancient (first mass- produced bowls made at Uruk, about 4000 BCE), along with crafts like weaving, leatherwork and metalwork. While Sumerian flourished, it's worth remembering that Europe remained in Stone Age. The Fertile Crescent Lands The Sumerians were characteristically inventive, and are likely to have been responsible for the development of the first . Well before 3000 B.C.E. Sumerians were recording their language using simple pictures. They wrote on tablets of , later evolving the script that to us is known as , or "wedge-shaped.” It is almost impossible to imagine a time before writing. However, you might be disappointed to learn that writing was not invented to record stories, poetry, or prayers to a god. The first fully developed written script, cuneiform, was invented to account for something unglamorous, but very important—surplus commodities: bushels of barley, head of cattle, and jars of oil!

The origin of written language (c. 3200 B.C.E.) was born out of economic necessity and was a tool of the theocratic (priestly) ruling elite who needed to keep track of the agricultural wealth of the city-states. Book-keeping was a feature of Sumerian life, and very detailed records on clay tablets of offerings, rations, taxes and agricultural work have come down to us.

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/ancient-near-east1/sumerian/a/the-sumerians-and-mesopotamia The Fertile Crescent Lands A single reed, cleanly cut from the banks of the Euphrates or Tigris river, when pressed cut-edge down into a soft clay tablet, will make a wedge shape. The arrangement of multiple wedge shapes (as few as two and as many as ten) created cuneiform characters. Characters could be written either horizontally or vertically, although a horizontal arrangement was more widely used.

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/ancient-near-east1/sumerian/a/the-sumerians-and-mesopotamia The Fertile Crescent Lands Their religion recognized many gods, whose feats and escapades were described in stories that were often preserved for generations. Rituals as well as parties were enlivened by skillful harpists and singers, and Sumerian musical instruments that have even been excavated by modern archaeologists. Sumerian art really excelled at pottery – though a type and quality which was far superior to any form of Greek pottery produced up to that point. Thereafter, we see the emergence of free standing , along with early statuettes, primitive types of personal jewelry and decorative designs on a wide range of artifacts.

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/ancient-near-east1/sumerian/a/the-sumerians-and-mesopotamia The Fertile Crescent Lands In that we find some of the oldest known cities, including Ur and Uruk. Uruk is where some of the earliest written records were found. This large city- state and its surroundings was largely dedicated to agriculture and eventually dominated southern Mesopotamia. Uruk perfected Mesopotamian irrigation and administration systems. An agricultural theocracy: The ziggurat, found in the region, is a built raised platform with four sloping sides—like a chopped-off pyramid. Ziggurats are made of mud- —the building material of choice in the Near East, as stone is rare. Ziggurats were not only a visual focal point of the city, they were a symbolic one, as well—they were at the heart of the theocratic political system (a theocracy is a type of government where a god is recognized as the ruler, and the state officials operate on the god’s behalf). https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/ancient-near-east1/sumerian/a/the-sumerians-and-mesopotamia The Fertile Crescent Lands Painting and sculpture were both important artistic mediums for the Sumerians. Sumerian artisans had to import some materials like stone and wood into their area, but trade was certainly important to the civilization as it grew. Artists also favored more precious materials such as and shell for important objects of worship or state. Many of the tallest statues produced by Sumerian artists were religious in nature and generally depicted female mother-goddess figures whom they worshipped and hoped would grant them prosperous harvests, fertility, and protection from enemies. Sumerian statues of figures are notable for their large eyes that dominate round faces. The bodies of these statues tend to be carved into simple cylindrical shapes. Many of the statues also feature the typical staring eyes, clasped hands, beards, long hair, and pleated skirts. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/ancient-near-east1/sumerian/a/the-sumerians-and-mesopotamia The Fertile Crescent Lands So many important innovations and inventions emerged in the Ancient Near East during the Uruk period (c. 4000 to 3000 B.C.E. and named after the Sumerian city of Uruk). One of these was the use of art to illustrate the role of the ruler and his place in society. The Warka Vase, c. 3000 B.C.E., was discovered at Uruk (Warka is the modern name, Uruk the ancient name), and is probably the most famous example of this innovation

Warka (Uruk) Vase, Uruk, Late Uruk period, c. 3500- 3000 B.C.E., 105 cm high (National Museum of Iraq)

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/ancient-near-east1/sumerian/a/the-sumerians-and-mesopotamia The Fertile Crescent Lands Much of the painting, according to archeologists, was in the form of and would have adorned both temples and palaces. The object was found in one of the largest graves in the Royal Cemetery at Ur, lying in the corner of a chamber above the right shoulder of a man. Its original function is not yet understood.

Standard of Ur from the Royal Tombs at Ur

Peace (detail), The Standard of Ur, 2600-2400 B.C.E., shell, red , lapis lazuli, and bitumen (original wood no longer exists), 21.59 x 49.53 x 12 cm, Ur © Trustees of the

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/ancient-near-east1/sumerian/a/the-sumerians-and-mesopotamia The Fertile Crescent Lands

As the civilization aged, its art became ever-more sophisticated as evidenced by famous artifacts like the female head found at Uruk known as Lady of Warka (c.3200 B.C.). Other important finds dating to Sumer’s artistic peak include a mosaic laden wooden harp, a wooden game board inlaid with precious materials, and various busts of males and females.

The Sumerians also produced jewelry and richly carved cylinder seals that were used to create personal signatures.

Much of the painting, according to archeologists, was in the form of frescos and would have adorned both temples and palaces. Sumerian art influenced the art of later Mesopotamian . The Sumerian style waned, however, with the invasion of Semitic peoples from outside the region.

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/ancient-near-east1/sumerian/a/the-sumerians-and-mesopotamia