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10,000 BCE
First evidence of Human occupation, agriculture and domestication of animals
It is situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
This area is also known as the Fertile Crescent.
This is where Mesopotamian civilization began.
Domesticated animals were goats, sheep, pigs and cattle. -
9000 BCE
Cultivation of wild grains and cereals
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6000 BCE
Irrigation Canals were developed
This is a system for watering crops planted far from rivers.
Irrigation canals allowed the water to be carried from the rivers and transported to the fields during long, hot, dry summer months. This enabled Sumerians to plant crops far from the river. -
6000 BCE
Digging Sticks/Plow were invented
Sumerians made the first plow out of wood. One end was bent for cutting into the ground to turn the soil. Sumerians used digging sticks to poke holes into the ground and plant seeds one by one. This technique was hard and slow work. Sumerians pushed ploughs along the ground and dug long shallow trenches or furrows. Soon farmers hitched Oxens to the plows and had the animals pull the plow along. -
6000 BCE
Food Surplus
Sumerians had a food surplus of grains and wheat. -
6000 BCE
Trade-Bartering
Bartering is a system in which people trade and exchange goods without using money.
Sumerians traded wheat and barley -
5400 BCE
Uruk
The first city was established with a population of 40,000 people.
Girsu, Lagash, Sippar, Nippur and Babylon. Joined Uruk as the first Mesopotamian communities -
4500 BCE
Cultivation of wool bearing sheep, wheat and grains
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3500 BCE
Wheels and Ships
Wheeled carts and ships meant that Sumerians were able to transport their surplus grain and wool over long distances and bring back heavy resources such as lumber, metal and precious stones (resources they were lacking). -
3500 BCE
Trade-Bartering continued
Grain and wool -
2000 BCE
Domesticated horses were introduced in Mesopotamia
