Antiquities from the Sumerian Empire (South-Central Iraq) 4100 to 1750 BCE

The Sumerian Empire was a civilization that flourished in the region of southern Mesopotamia, between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, (now south-central Iraq), from around 4100 to 1750 BCE. It was never a single, unified political entity, but rather a collection of independent city-states, each with its own ruler and government.

The Sumerians are credited with many important inventions and innovations, including the first system of writing, the first code of law, the first wheeled vehicles, the first irrigation systems and the first use of mathematics and astronomy.

The Sumerians also made significant contributions to art, architecture, and sculpture. Their temples and ziggurats were some of the most impressive buildings of their time.

The Sumerian Empire declined in the 18th century BCE, due to a combination of factors, including internal conflicts and external threats. It was eventually conquered by the Akkadian Empire, but its legacy continued to influence more... the cultures of the region in the succeeding centuries. less...