Introduction
The Sumerian civilisation was a prominent ancient civilisation that settled in the region presently known as Iraq, and this dates back to approximately the 4th millennium BCE (Adamo and Al-Ansari, 2020, pp. 17-39). The Early Dynastic period, which lasted from around 2900 BCE to 2350 BCE, was characterised by the rise of city-states, the development of writing, and the creation of the first recorded laws (Robinson, 2021). The Sumerians are widely regarded as the first civilisation to have existed. They are attributed to a rich cultural heritage that has influenced the development of cultures and civilisations that came after them. Sumer was a group of city-states that each had its ruler and political system, but they were all connected through a shared language, religion, and culture. The Sumerians created cuneiform writing, which was used to record a wide range of information, including religious texts, laws, and daily life accounts.
The society was separated into different social classes; these included priests, merchants, and warriors. They were skilled in agriculture, developed a system of canals and dams to irrigate their crops, and were also known for their innovative bronze-making techniques (Postgate, 2017). Religion was a major aspect of Sumerian society, and they worshipped several gods and goddesses, with Enlil being the most significant deity, considered the ruler of the universe. The Sumerians believed the gods lived in Nippur and built ziggurat temples in their honour.
The Sumerians also had accomplished builders, and their architecture, such as the ziggurat at Ur and the city of Uruk, is still impressive today. They also developed a mathematical system for practical purposes such as measuring land and calculating taxes. The Sumerian culture and civilisation have had a lasting impact on those that followed, with the Babylonians adopting much of Sumerian culture after conquering them. The influence of Sumerian culture can be seen in the religious beliefs and practices of the ancient Egyptians and the Akkadian and Babylonian empires. The Sumerians were a civilisation of great importance, and their contributions to science, technology, religion, and architecture helped lay the foundation for subsequent cultures and civilisations. Their legacy continues to impact the world today.
I have chosen this topic since the Sumerians are a fascinating civilisation who were very advanced for their time. Their contribution to various fields can be felt today, especially in the field of literature. Hence, I want to prove that the Sumerians laid the foundation for literature and the various works we know and enjoy today.
The main aim of this report is to perform a comprehensive examination of the reasons behind the success and greatness of the Sumerian civilisation and the significance of their contributions to humanity in various fields, especially in the field of literature hence justifying my argument mentioned earlier. The report will overview their culture and major contributions to agriculture, science, and literature. We will also look at the impact of Sumerian literature on the modern world, the SWOT analysis of Sumerian literature and the major advancements made regarding Sumerian literature and cuneiform.
Rich Cultural Heritage
The Sumerians also made a significant impact in the field of art. They possessed several artistic expressions, which included painting, sculpture and metalworking. The various artefacts they created, such as statues, pottery, and jewellery, show their religious beliefs and values and give us a glimpse into their daily lives. These works are still appreciated for their beauty and intricate design.
The Sumerians were associated with a rich religious tradition with several gods and goddesses at the centre, and these were believed to possess the power to manipulate various aspects of nature and society and ritual and offering ceremonies aimed at appeasing them (Philip, 2021). The Sumerians also believed in their life after death; thus, they built elaborate tombs and burial sites honouring their deceased loved ones. The religious traditions had a lasting effect on subsequent civilisations, which included Assyrians and Babylonians, who adopted several of these beliefs and practices.
Another aspect of the Sumerian cultural heritage is their rich tradition of literature. They were famous for composing epic hymns, prayers and poems to celebrate their gods and recounting moral codes and guidelines for desired behaviour; these also recorded their history and cultural achievements. The most famous of these works is the Epic of Gilgamesh, a long narrative poem that lays out the story of a legendary king who travels to search for the secret of eternal life. The poem provides valuable lessons regarding the values of the Sumerian civilisation; the poem has also been admired and studied widely by scholars and literary enthusiasts (Michalowski, 2020, pp. 83-105).
Advanced Agricultural Techniques
The Sumerians were famous for their various advancements in the field of agriculture; this enabled them to cultivate even in arid regions to ensure a reliable food source throughout the year. One major innovation was the use of irrigation practices. The Sumerians built an extensive system of canals and ditches that were created with the purpose of channelling water from nearby rivers to their farms, allowing them to grow various types of crops such as dates, wheat, barley, vegetables and figs (Postgate, 2017).
The Sumerians also used various techniques to increase their agricultural produce. They practised crop rotation; this technique was used to control soil exhaustion, ensuring the soil maintained its fertility. The Sumerians also used terraces for water and soil conservation to reduce the risk of erosion on sloping land (Chen, 2022, pp. 15-45). They also used plough, which was equipped with metal blades pulled by oxen hence making the process of planting and harvesting crops easier; this also allowed the Sumerians to improve the volume of their agricultural production.
In addition to the techniques mentioned above, the Sumerians further developed a system of writing referred to as cuneiform, and they used this system to maintain records of their activities. The system enabled them to keep track of their crops, yields, harvest dates and the various transactions associated with the sale and purchase of crops and livestock (Chen, 2022, pp. 15-45). The record-keeping system was critical for the growth and development of their civilisation and their agricultural practices since it enabled them to continually monitor the progress of their agricultural production over time, making adjustments where necessary to improve their practices.
Scientific Advances
The Sumerians were an advanced civilisation which was remarkable. They as attributed with great contributions to various fields in science and technology. One of the most crucial areas in which the Sumerians excelled was mathematics and geometry. The Sumerians applied their mathematical knowledge to build impressive structures such as temples, palaces and public buildings. The Sumerians further used their expertise in mathematics and geometry to construct irrigation systems, allowing them to experience rapid advancements in agriculture and facilitated trade (Haba, 2021).
The Sumerians also developed a system of weights and measurements that allowed them to calculate precisely in the different fields (Haba, 2021). The measurement system is important in determining the number of crops to be harvested, determining taxes and tariffs and conducting trade. The Sumerian mastery of mathematical and geometrical concepts was critical to their success as civilised people.
Medicine was another field in which the Sumerians excelled and made significant contributions. They made emphasis on the importance of hygiene as sanitation, and they also developed techniques for water purification and wound treatment; this was a key breakthrough in understanding health and disease; these breakthroughs implied how the Sumerians were ahead of their time (Supady, 2019, pp. 12-16). The Sumerians maintained a comprehensive list of diseases with their associated symptoms and treatments; this acted as a foundation for future understanding of medicine. They were one of the earliest civilisations to come up with a sophisticated system of medicine, and these achievements continue to influence medical practices to this day.
In addition to their contributions to medicine, the Sumerians also deeply understood astronomy. They used their observations of the stars, planets, and moon to create a calendar and predict eclipses and other celestial events; this knowledge had practical uses, such as determining the most favourable times for planting crops, as well as religious significance.
Development of Cuneiform Writing
The invention and development of cuneiform writing by the Sumerians was a significant historical event that had a lasting impact on the ancient world. Cuneiform started as a simple method for keeping track of economic transactions but soon evolved into a sophisticated system for recording various forms of information. This writing system, consisting of wedge-shaped marks, became a common method of communication throughout Mesopotamia and was eventually adopted by neighbouring civilisations such as the Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians (Elshehaby et al., 2022, pp. 119-122). Cuneiform became the dominant writing system in the ancient Near East, serving various purposes, including diplomacy, religion, and astronomy.
Decoding cuneiform was challenging, and it took many years of scholarly work to understand the meanings behind the wedge-shaped marks fully. The discovery of bilingual inscriptions, texts written in cuneiform and another language, helped scholars gain insight into the cuneiform writing system. Some of the most famous examples of cuneiform writing include the Epic of Gilgamesh, a Mesopotamian myth, and the Code of Hammurabi, a set of laws written in Babylonian cuneiform.
Cuneiform writing allowed the ancient peoples of Mesopotamia to preserve their cultural heritage for future generations. It served as a tool for recording their beliefs, values, and achievements and helped to transmit information from one generation to the next. Today, the study of cuneiform provides valuable insights into the history and culture of one of the world’s earliest civilisations, the Sumerians. Through the study of cuneiform, we can gain a better understanding of the ancient world and the people who lived there.
Sumerian Literature
The development of the first writing language, cuneiform, enabled the Sumerians to record religious, political, and economic transactions and for creative works such as hymns, poems, and stories. Sumerian literature was abundant and reflective of their religious beliefs, social customs, and daily life.
Metaphors and symbolism were important elements of Sumerian literature. They used imagery and allegory to express complex ideas and emotions that were accessible to a wider audience. For instance, in their hymns and prayers, they often depicted their gods as benevolent and powerful, controlling the forces of nature and bringing fertility to the land (Michalowski, 2020, pp. 83-105). These images helped reinforce the people’s belief in the gods and their power, reminding them to maintain good relationships with the divine.
The Sumerian language was also crucial in the development of their civilisation. It was a non-Indo-European language with no known relatives and was written in cuneiform script, a system of wedge-shaped marks made on clay tablets with a stylus. Over time, the script became more complex and recorded a wide range of texts, from legal and economic documents to religious and literary works (Michalowski, 2020, pp. 83-105).
The cuneiform script was used by the Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians. It was eventually replaced by the Aramaic script, which became the dominant language of the ancient Near East for centuries. Later civilisations, including the Babylonians and Persians, adopted most Sumerian customs. The Epic of Gilgamesh, in particular, profoundly impacted later literature and was translated into several languages, including Akkadian, Babylonian, and Greek. The legacy of the Sumerian language and literature continues to influence us today and serves as a testament to the power of the written word.
Impact of Sumerian advancements in literature
The study of Sumerian literature and cuneiform writing has significantly contributed to the field of linguistics by providing valuable insights into writing and language development. The invention of cuneiform marked a turning point in human history, as it allowed for the preservation of cultural heritage in a way that was not possible before. Cuneiform was a writing system based on wedge-shaped marks made on clay tablets. The Sumerians used it to record a wide range of information, including religious texts, laws, and business transactions.
The invention of cuneiform represented a breakthrough in writing and language development, as it allowed for preserving cultural heritage in a permanent form. Before the invention of cuneiform, information was passed down orally from generation to generation, often lost or altered over time. With the advent of cuneiform, information could be recorded and preserved in a way that was not dependent on human memory, allowing for a much more accurate transmission of cultural knowledge from one generation to the next.
In addition, the study of Sumerian literature and cuneiform writing has provided valuable insights into the development of writing systems and the evolution of language (Veldhuis, 2021). Several ancient civilisations in the Near East used the cuneiform system of writing, and it played a significant role in developing other writing systems, such as the Akkadian and Babylonian scripts. This legacy has continued to this day, as writing remains an essential tool for preserving and transmitting cultural heritage and knowledge.
Advancements since the development of cuneiform
Since the development of Sumerian cuneiform, the deciphering and interpretation of this ancient form of writing have advanced greatly. In the 19th and 20th centuries, scholars made great strides in decoding cuneiform and unlocking its secrets. Hence leading to a greater understanding of the history, religion, and culture of the ancient Near East; this was accomplished through the use of new techniques and technologies, such as X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, which allowed for a more detailed analysis of cuneiform tablets and inscriptions (Everson and Hawkins, 2017).
In addition, advances in the field of computer technology have greatly enhanced the study of cuneiform. Digital databases and online resources now make it possible for researchers to access and analyse cuneiform texts worldwide. Computer programs have been developed to help with the transcription and translation of cuneiform into modern languages; this has made the study of cuneiform more accessible to a wider audience and has greatly expanded our knowledge of the Sumerian civilisation.
Another important advance in the study of cuneiform has been the development of new methodologies for interpreting and analysing texts. Scholars now employ interdisciplinary approaches to gain a deeper understanding of the meaning and significance of the texts; this has led to new insights into the Sumerian civilisation and its culture and has helped to fill in gaps in our knowledge of this ancient civilisation.
Conclusion
Overall, the Sumerian civilisation was remarkable due to their achievements in agriculture, writing and record-keeping, complex religion and mythology, developed trade and economy, and complex society and governance. Furthermore, the study of cuneiform and Sumerian literature has contributed to a greater understanding of the ancient Near East’s cultural heritage and the Sumerian civilisation’s legacy. The decipherment of cuneiform by scholars in the 19th and 20th centuries has allowed us to gain access to a wealth of information about the region’s history, religion, and culture, and it has contributed to a greater appreciation of the rich cultural heritage of the ancient Near East.
The legacy of the Sumerians can still be seen today in the writing systems of modern cultures and the continued study of their history and culture. The development of cuneiform writing was critical in the history of language. Without the Sumerians, we may not have the rich literary tradition that has contributed so much to human culture and knowledge. Also, the advances in digital preservation have helped to ensure that cuneiform texts and the knowledge they contain are preserved for future generations. Digitisation and digital preservation efforts, such as the Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative, have helped to protect cuneiform tablets and inscriptions, making them accessible to researchers and the general public for years to come.
References
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Chen, M., 2022. Sumerian Civilization. In China and the World in the Liangzhu Era (pp. 15–45). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.
Elshehaby, S., Al-Saad, M., Panthakkan, A. and Al Ahmad, H., 2022, December. Cuneiform Symbols Identification System using Correlation Technique. In 2022 5th International Conference on Signal Processing and Information Security (ICSPIS) (pp. 119–122). IEEE.
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Haba, Z., 2021. Mathematics in Ancient Mesopotamia.
Michalowski, P., 2020. Sumerian. A Companion to Ancient Near Eastern Languages, pp.83–105.
Philip, T., 2021. The Ram Caught in the Thicket: Cultural Connections Between the Hebrew Bible and Sumerian Culture.
Postgate, J.N., 2017. Early Mesopotamia: society and economy at the dawn of history. Routledge.
Robinson, A., 2021. The people at the dawn of civilisation.
Supady, J., 2019. Medicine in Ancient Mesopotamia. Health Promotion & Physical Activity, 8(3), pp.12–16.
Veldhuis, N., 2021. Religion, Literature, and Scholarship: The Sumerian Composition Nanše and the Birds: With a Catalogue of Sumerian Bird Names. Brill.
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