There is no doubt that Mesopotamian civilization has contributed to global culture in a unique way. The importance of the multiple contributions of this advanced society has been key in the development of many areas of human knowledge. Therefore, below we will review all the most important contributions of the people of Mesopotamia.
Mesopotamian Civilization
Mesopotamia, which in Greek means Between rivers, made clear reference to its geographical location between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, located in what is now Iraq and northeastern Syria. This abundance of water allowed this region to become one of the first epicenters of human civilization.
With a history dating back more than 6000 years, Mesopotamian civilization has been the birthplace of numerous cultures, including the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians and Assyrians, all of which left an indelible mark on human history. Cities, temples and legal systems developed in Mesopotamia that laid the foundations for future societies.
The region was divided into several areas with different influences. Among the most prominent were Assyria in the north and Babylon in the south. Babylon, in turn, incorporated the regions of Sumer and Akkadia. Each of these civilizations contributed important advances, from writing to astronomy, including the creation of the first laws.
Mesopotamian culture
The cultural wealth of Mesopotamia was impressive. The combination of religious, social and technological elements allowed this civilization to create a solid foundation that would impact the development of other cultures. Below, we will explore some of these contributions in greater depth.
Writing
One of the most recognized contributions of the Sumerians is the invention of cuneiform writing around 3500 BC. Writing began as a system of pictograms to record business transactions, but quickly transformed into a means of recording history, religion, and literature. cuneiform It was essential for the creation of epic poems such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest literary texts of humanity.
This legacy of writing influenced other writing systems that would develop later, such as the Greek and Latin alphabets, laying the groundwork for the evolution of written communication around the world.
The calendar
The Mesopotamian calendar is another crucial development in the field of astronomy. Based on the phases of the moon, months were divided into 30-day intervals, with 12 months in total, resulting in a 360-day year. Although not completely accurate, this calendar allowed early Mesopotamian astronomers to accurately predict natural events such as eclipses and also to organize crops and festivals.
This calendar was the precursor to many other calendars used around the world, including the Babylonian and Egyptian calendars.
La Moneda
The economic system of Mesopotamia was also innovative. Before the advent of currency, barter was the prevalent system. However, as society became more complex and commercial activities expanded, the need for a more effective medium of exchange arose. Thus, precious metals such as gold and silver began to be used to measure the value of goods, and currency was later introduced.
This advancement facilitated commercial transactions and allowed for greater development of large-scale trade within the region and even with other neighboring civilizations.
The Wheel and the Plow
Possibly the most iconic technological advancement in Mesopotamia was the invention of the wheel around 3500 BC. Originally used in pottery making, the wheel was later used in animal-drawn carts, revolutionising transport and facilitating trade.
The wheel was followed by the development of the plow, which improved agriculture in the fertile regions of Mesopotamia. This early plow, which was pulled by oxen, allowed farmers to plow large areas of land, increasing agricultural production and the ability to support a large population.
Sexagesimal System
The Mesopotamians also gave the world the sexagesimal system, which is based on the number 60. This system was fundamental to the development of mathematics and is still used today to measure time (60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour) and angles (360 degrees in a circle).
Hammurabi Code
One of the earliest and most comprehensive compilations of laws was the Hammurabi Code. Promulgated by King Hammurabi of Babylon around 1754 BC, this code included 282 laws covering all aspects of daily life, including trade, property, and marriage. The Code of Hammurabi is famous for the principle of “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”
This set of laws marked a milestone in the history of law and laid the foundations for future developments in the legislation of other cultures.
Astrology and Astronomy
The Mesopotamians placed great emphasis on stargazing. They knew that the movement of the planets and stars influenced natural cycles, and they used these observations to predict the future and plan agricultural activities. Astrology and astronomy were deeply intertwined, and although today they are considered separate sciences, in ancient times there were no clear distinctions. This allowed them to create accurate calendars and predict events such as lunar and solar eclipses.
Architecture and Ziggurat
A fascinating aspect of Mesopotamian culture was architecture. The Mesopotamians built with mud bricks and developed large structures known as ziggurats, which were pyramid-shaped religious temples with several levels. These temples were dedicated to the gods and served as administrative and religious centers.
Ziggurats were not only visually impressive constructions, but also symbolized the connection between gods and humans. One of the best-known ziggurats is the one in Ur, dedicated to the moon, which still partially stands today.
Irrigation and Agriculture
Being located between two rivers, Mesopotamia relied heavily on agriculture. The Mesopotamians built sophisticated irrigation systems that allowed them to take full advantage of the waters of the Tigris and Euphrates. These systems included canals, dams, and reservoirs that controlled the flow of water to crops.
Thanks to these advances, agriculture became the basis of the Mesopotamian economy and allowed this civilization to prosper for several millennia.
This Mesopotamian legacy of technological and cultural advancement laid the groundwork for many later societies. Without Mesopotamia, advances in areas such as writing, legislation, agriculture and astronomy would have taken a different course or been delayed for centuries. Mesopotamia's relevance in human history is unquestionable and its impact continues to resonate in modern society.