Mesopotamia: An Ancient Civilization

Introduction

Introduction:

What would life be like if there was no such thing as exploration? What if no one ever ventured beyond their neighborhood? What would we know about the world we live in? Well…probably very little! But we don’t have to worry about that, because exploration has played a major role in learning about our Earth for centuries. As a matter of fact, through exploration, we have found that the earliest known civilization was a place called Mesopotamia. We would have never found out about Mesopotamia had no one ever gone exploring. Now it is your turn to go exploring. You will embark on a cyber journey into ancient Mesopotamia. You will explore this ‘cradle of civilization’ to understand how Mesopotamia has affected the world you live in. Each of the above roles will ask you to search around Mesopotamia and find out important information. You will come away with the knowledge that Mesopotamia has changed or affected your world in some way. Good luck and have fun!

Task

Task:  As part of this Cyber Exploration, you will be asked to take on 4 different roles for this venture. You will journey back in time to ancient Mesopotamia. You are to discover and bring back information, about this ancient civilization. Your final paper/project will demonstrate how this ancient civilization contributed to our modern world. You may be as creative as you like when compiling all of the information you uncover.

Process

What? I don't get it? What do you mean? Huh...so what am I suppose to do, again?

STEP1. For the first step you will need to follow each of the directions very carefully.

STEP2. Once you have read everything, you should begin doing each of the four roles. Each of the 4 roles will provide you with instructions and web pages for you to explore.(go to "Teacher's Page" tab to find Roles 1-4) As you explore through each role, you will need to have a pencil and paper to keep an ongoing journal of all the information you have gathered for each role.

STEP3. Once you have gathered all the required information, you can begin compiling all your information in whatever creative format you choose. It could be a poster (12 x 18), a booklet, a magazine(from publisher), a brochure, a flyer, a powerpoint, or a folder. Your project must contain claims that can be supported with evidence!

STEP4. After you have decided on what type of format you will use to compile all your data you will need to begin creating your project. Remember to include all the things you were required to research for this project. Make sure to have everything included!

STEP5. You will need to hand in you final project. Once again, please make sure everything is included. Check each question. Have you answered everything? Hand in your project on the due date.

Evaluation

RUBRIC:EXPLORATION 1-5 No real exploration. 6-10 Some exploration of designated sites. 11-15 Enthusiastic exploration of designated sites. DEPTH OF CONNECTION 1-5 No connections were made with designated questions. 6-10 Positive connections were demonstrated. 11-15 Strong personal connections with questions. FINAL PRODUCT 1-5 Little evidence of participation in the final project. 6-10 Contributed some information for final product. 11-15 Enthusiastic about information and incorporating it into final product.

Conclusion

You did it! You have successfully completed your cyber journey to Mesopotamia. You have now learned plenty about Mesopotamia and how important the beginning of civilization was to our world. Whether you are writing an essay at school, playing games at home, or driving in your car to Grandma’s house, you have been affected by the development of Mesopotamia. Don't forget to make sure your project has what you believe to be the most important facts for each question. Be sure to submit you project based on the formats suggested in the process section of this webquest. Good Luck!!!!

Credits

The majority of this Webquest was taken from Teacher Web entitled Mesopotamia Webquest.  A few modifications were added.

Teacher Page

Role1

The Geographer

For your first job in cyber Mesopotamia you will take on the role of a Geographer. It will be your responsibility to come up with the following information (REMEMBER: When you are answering the following questions, respond using YOUR OWN WORDS!!!!): 1)Explain where Mesopotamia was located. What are the names of the two rivers where Mesopotamia lay? What does Mesopotamia mean?  2) Why is the fertile cresent refered to as the cradle of civilization? 3)Draw a map to illustrate its historical location. 4)What type of climate is in Mesopotamia? 5)What present-day country would be the location of Ancient Mesopotamia? 6)How far is Mesopotamia from our school (approximately)? 

Internet Links

Map of Mesopotamia: http://www.mesopotamia.co.uk/geography/explore/exp_set.html

Map of Mesopotamia: http://www.fsmitha.com/h1/map01mes.htm

Geography and Climate: http://www.sron.nl/~jheise/akkadian/mesopotamia.html

Distance Calculator: http://www.mapcrow.info/

The Cradle of Civilization: http://www.ancient.eu/Fertile_Crescent

The Fertile Crescent and Meaning: http://www.mrdowling.com/603mesopotamia.html

Map of Mesopotamia: http://www.wsu.edu/~wldciv/brians_syllabus/maps/maplabels1.html

Modern Map of Mesopotamia: http://www.mainandcentral.org/home/mainand/public_html/iraq032403a1.jpg

Other Resources

Just because this is a WebQuest I am providing you websites doesn't mean that you can only should be limited to use those websites as a resource.

Role2

The Historian

You will now take on the role of a Historian on this Mesopotamia Expedition. It will be your responsibility to come up with the following information (REMEMBER: When you are answering the following questions, respond using YOUR OWN WORDS!!!!): 1) List the names of the civilizations which made Mesopotamia their home a long time ago. Include a timeline chart that shows the times of at least 4 civilizations. 2) What are the requirements of a civilization? 3) Explain the importance of Hammurabi. 4) Explain who Gilgamesh was. Retell his story IN YOUR OWN WORDS!

Internet Links

Quick History http://www.mesopotamia.co.uk/time/home_set.html

Civilizations: http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/middle_east/

Civilizations and Timeline http://www.aasd.k12.wi.us/staff/hermansenjoel/Ancient%20empires%20of%20the%20fertile%20crescent/meso%20diag_files/frame.htm

Requirements of a Civilization http://www.aasd.k12.wi.us/Staff/hermansenjoel/meso_files/frame.htm

Hammurabi: http://mesopotamia.mrdonn.org/hammurabi.html

Hammurabi and Yale: http://www.phillipmartin.info/hammurabi/hammurabi_codeindex.htm

Hammurabi's Laws: http://www.eduplace.com/ss/h.org/

Gilgamesh: http://mesopotamia.mrdonn.org/gilgamesh.html

Gilgamesh: http://www.mesopotamia.co.uk/geography/story/sto_set.html

Role3

The Agriculturalist

You are now going to be an Agriculturalist on this Mesopotamia journey. It will be your responsibility to come up with the following information (REMEMBER: When you are answering the following questions, respond using YOUR OWN WORDS!!!!): 1) Describe the farming and agriculture of Mesopotamia. 2) Explain how poisoned fields contributed to the collapse of Mesopotamia. 3) What did Mesopotamians eat? 4) Explain why civilizations like those from Mesopotamia, would live close to bodies of water. 5) Click on the below internet link on Farming in Mesopotamia. Once you have read about the farming year, explain the steps it would take to farm each year in Mesopotamia. (USE YOUR OWN WORDS)

Internet Links

Farming and Agriculture http://mesopotamia.mrdonn.org/agriculture.html

Poisoned fields: http://www.learner.org/interactives/collapse/mesopotamia.html

Mesopotamian Cuisine: http://www.digonsite.com/drdig/neareast/19.html

Civilizations close to water http://www.mrdowling.com/603-civilization.html

Farming in Mespotamia: http://www.mesopotamia.co.uk/geography/challenge/cha_set.html

Role4

The Archaeologist

You are the Archaeologist on this Mesopotamia Expedition. It will be your responsibility to come up with the following information (REMEMBER: When you are answering the following questions, respond using YOUR OWN WORDS!!!!): 1) Explain one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world known as the 'Hanging Gardens of Babylon". 2) Illustrate and label 4 inventions from Mesopotamia. Explain the importance of one these ancient inventions. 3) What is cuneiform? Which civilization invented it? Spell your name using Cuneiform. You can draw it or use the printer to print off your name. 4) What are the different classes of people in ancient Mesopotamia?  What are their roles? 5) What is a Ziggurat? What was its purpose? Include a picture 6)  Describe the religious beliefs of the people of Mesopotamia.

Internet Links

Powerpoint presentation on the Hanging Gardens of Babylon: http://presentations.pppst.com/7wonders-gardens.ppt#301,1,The Hanging Gardens

Inventions: http://mesopotamia.mrdonn.org/inventions.html

Cuneiform: http://www.upennmuseum.com/cuneiform.cgi

Classes of people: http://mesopotamia.mrdonn.org/classes.html

Ziggurats: http://mesopotamia.mrdonn.org/ziggurats.html

Religion in Mesopotamia: http://www.smspromotions.org/mesopotamian-religion.html

Religion in Mesopotamia: http://www.ducksters.com/history/mesopotamia/religion_gods.php