The disparity in the amount of surviving art between the Sumerians and the ancient Egyptians can be attributed to several factors:
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Material Durability: Sumerian artifacts were often made from more perishable materials, such as clay, whereas ancient Egyptian art was frequently created using more durable materials like stone and metal. The Egyptians carved their sculptures from granite and limestone, which have withstood the test of time much better than the clay tablets and smaller artifacts from Sumer.
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Cultural Continuity: Ancient Egyptian civilization lasted for over 3,000 years, while Sumerian civilization, particularly the dominant Sumerian city-states, experienced significant political and cultural changes over a shorter period. This constant transformation could have led to the loss or transformation of many Sumerian artworks.
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Preservation Environment: The geographic and environmental conditions in which these cultures existed can affect the preservation of artifacts. Egypt's dry desert climate is more conducive to preserving organic materials and artifacts than the more variable climate of Mesopotamia, which can have harsher conditions leading to degradation.
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Cultural Focus: The Sumerians placed significant emphasis on writing and record-keeping, which might have overshadowed the development or preservation of visual arts in the same manner that the Egyptians prioritized monumental and funerary art, contributing to their extensive archaeological record.
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Archaeological Discoveries and Research: Much of the available art from a civilization may also depend on the areas that archaeologists have explored and the focus of archaeological research. Egyptian monuments are more iconic and were often built to last, making them more appealing targets for excavation than the often smaller-scale Sumerian artifacts.
As a result of these factors, while the Sumerians were indeed influential in the development of writing and early culture, the tangible remnants of their artistic achievements are less extensive than those of the ancient Egyptians.