Lesson One The Sumerians

Question 1

Silt

Answer 1

Small particles of fertile soil

The silt contains a small amount of animal droppings.

Question 2

Irrigation

Answer 2

A way to supply dry land with water through ditches, pipes, or streams

My family shuts down our irrigation for the winter

Question 3

Surplus

Answer 3

An amount that is left over after a need has been met

After thanksgiving dinner, there is usually a surplus of food.

Question 4

City-state

Answer 4

An independent nation made up of a city and the land around it

Sumerian city-states were well protected by walls

Question 5

Polytheism

Answer 5

A belief in more than one god

Some people have polytheism and worship more than one god

Question 6

Ziggurat

Answer 6

A pyramid shaped tower with a temple at the top

My family and I visited the great ziggurat of Ur

Question 7

Cuneiform

Answer 7

A Sumerian writing system that used the wedge shaped marks in soft clay

I am going to try to learn cuneiform

Question 8

Scribe

Answer 8

A person who copies or writes out documents; often a record keeper

At the town hall, there is a scribe

Question 9

Epic

Answer 9

A long poem that tells the story of a hero

Have you ever read the epic of Hercules?