The oldest significant historical entity within the borders of modern-day Iraq is the ancient land of Sumer, which emerged during the Neolithic Ubaid period between 6000 and 5000 BC. Sumer is widely recognized as the world's earliest civilization, laying the foundational groundwork for urban development, written language, and monumental architecture.
The Cradle of Civilization: Sumer
Modern-day Iraq encompasses the vast historical region of Mesopotamia, often referred to as the "Cradle of Civilization." It was here, in southern Mesopotamia, that the Sumerian civilization began to flourish, giving rise to many of the defining characteristics of organized human society.
Key aspects that establish Sumer as the "oldest" and most significant early development in the region include:
- Earliest Civilization: Sumer represents the first known civilization in human history, evolving from the agricultural advancements of the preceding Neolithic Ubaid culture.
- Urban Development: It saw the establishment of the world's first cities, such as Uruk, Ur, and Eridu, complete with complex social structures, administrative systems, and organized public works.
- Written Language: The Sumerians developed cuneiform, one of the earliest known systems of writing, which allowed for record-keeping, literature, and the codification of laws.
- Monumental Architecture: They constructed impressive ziggurats and temples, demonstrating advanced engineering and architectural skills.
- Sophisticated Governance: Sumerian society was organized into independent city-states, each ruled by its own king or priesthood, with early forms of administration and legal codes.
- Technological Advancements: Innovations such as the wheel, irrigation systems, and advanced metallurgical techniques originated or were significantly developed in Sumer.
The Neolithic Ubaid Period (c. 6500–3800 BC)
The emergence of Sumerian civilization was preceded and deeply influenced by the Ubaid period. This prehistoric period, named after the archaeological site of Tell al-`Ubaid near Ur, witnessed the establishment of widespread village settlements across Mesopotamia. During this time, communities developed advanced agricultural practices, refined pottery, and began to lay the groundwork for the more complex social and economic structures that would define the subsequent Sumerian cities. It was the gradual evolution and intensification of these early Ubaid cultural traditions that ultimately led to the world's first urban revolution in Sumer.
You can learn more about the history of this region on the History of Iraq Wikipedia page and specifically about Sumer.
