The Sumerians, who lived in Mesopotamia (modern-day southern Iraq) around 4000-2000 BCE, adapted to their environment in several ways:
1. Agriculture: The Sumerians were one of the first civilizations to practice intensive agriculture, harnessing the fertile soil of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers for crop cultivation. They constructed irrigation systems, drained marshes, and built canals to control the flow of water for growing crops such as barley, wheat, and dates.
2. Urban planning: The Sumerians built some of the earliest cities in the world, such as Uruk and Ur, with carefully planned streets, houses, and public buildings. They used mud bricks to construct their buildings, which helped keep them cool in the hot Mesopotamian climate.
3. Trade and commerce: The Sumerians were active traders, exchanging goods such as grains, textiles, and precious metals with neighboring regions. They established trade networks that extended as far as India and Egypt, allowing them to acquire resources that were not readily available in their own region.
4. Religion and mythology: The Sumerians developed a complex religious and mythological system that reflected their understanding of the natural world. They believed that gods and goddesses controlled the forces of nature, such as the sun, moon, and floods, and they performed rituals and sacrifices to appease these deities.
5. Writing system: The Sumerians are credited with inventing one of the first writing systems, known as cuneiform, which allowed them to record information and communicate ideas more effectively. This innovation helped them to keep records of agricultural production, trade transactions, and religious ceremonies.
Overall, the Sumerians adapted to their environment by harnessing the natural resources of the region, developing sophisticated technologies, and creating a complex social and cultural system that enabled them to thrive in the challenging conditions of Mesopotamia.
how Sumerians adapted to their environment
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