Technology in Mesopotamia

by Charlie Samuels

Overview

It’s probable that the ancient people in Mesopotamia were the first to use the wheel for transportation around 3200 BC. If that’s not impressive enough, the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon were dreamed up and executed by this ancient culture. Sure to draw readers in, the main historical content covers the many cultures of ancient Mesopotamia and their technological advances in many areas, from shipbuilding to farming. Fascinating artistic renderings of ziggurats, Mesopotamian cities, and how arrowheads were made using clay molds enhance each section, along with up-close photographs of artifacts and ancient craftwork. A helpful timeline guides readers through the major historical events of the time while sidebars offer even more detail about each chapter.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781433996412
Publisher:	Gareth Stevens Publishing
Publication date:	08/01/2013
Series:	Technology in the Ancient World Series
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	7.70(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.10(d)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

Table of Contents

Introduction 4

Technology Background 6

Rivers and Canals 8

Farming and Irrigation 10

Water 12

Pottery 14

Building 16

Cities 18

Ziggurats 20

Hanging Gardens of Babylon 22

Transportation 24

The Wheel 26

Astronomy and Astrology 28

Writing 30

Numbers, Weights, and Measures 32

Weapons and Warfare 34

Crafts 36

Metals and Mining 38

Weaving and Dyeing 40

Medicine 42

Timeline 44

Glossary 46

Further Information 47

Index 48

Editorial Reviews

11/01/2013
Gr 4–7—These attractive books open with brief introductions to each culture and its technological background, followed by spreads that discuss how it developed or adopted technology that improved farming, architecture, transportation, communications, science and medicine, and more. The main text is limited to a few paragraphs per spread, supplemented with "Technical Specs" sidebars with facts about each topic. The images are the strongest element of the series, combining high-quality drawings (including exploded and explanatory diagrams) and photos of ancient sites and artifacts that illustrate how ancient technology worked. These books will help students understand the importance of interconnectivity among some of the cultures that adopted and adapted technology from their predecessors and neighbors. Solid choices.

School Library Journal