Introduction
The Ancient Sumerians worshipped many different gods and goddesses. They thought that the gods influenced much of what happened to them in their lives. They worshipped them every day. Each god had a job to do. Each city had its own special god to watch over the city. Each profession had a god to watch over the people who worked in that profession like builders and fishermen. Religion was very important to the Ancient Mesopotamians.
Task
Problem: You are a laboratory and research specialist for a prominent archeological firm. Your team has just return from Iraq. They were digging for artifacts near the location of where the ancient city-state of Ur was. They have brought back 3 different artifacts, all depicting one type of structure. The first is drawn on an ancient shell, the second on a flat piece of wood and the third is carved into a large stone. It is apparent that this must have been an important structure in Sumer. Your job is to research what this structure was and what it was used for. You are asked to produce an informational write-up for an archeology magazine. Use the pictures, guided questions below, and the internet to help you with your write-up. You will be working as a team, but ever person needs their own write-up.
Objective: Students will research and report on an important Ancient Mesopotamian structure and its significance.
Process
Use the pictures, guided questions, and the internet links below to help you with your write-up. You have been given a hard copy of the questions for record keeping purposes.
Links:
http://mesopotamia.mrdonn.org/ziggurats.html
http://www.ducksters.com/history/mesopotamia/ziggurats.php
http://www.infoplease.com/dk/encyclopedia/mesopotamia.html
ARTIFACT PICTURES:
Guided Questions to research:
1.What were these structures?
2. Why were they important to the ancient Sumerians?
3. Where within the city-state were they found?
4. Who was allowed inside and who was not?
5. What happened at these structures?
6. What materials were used to build these structures and how were they built?
7. Why were they built in this shape and size?
8. Were there more than one of these structures and if so, were they all the same? How do you know?
9. What other ancient structures do these resemble?
10.What are some interesting facts regarding these structures?
Evaluation
