Mesopotamian Terms 1

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Silt

Back

Fine, fertile soil left behind by rivers after flooding; good for farming.

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Irrigation

Back

A system of moving water to crops through canals, ditches, or pipes.

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Levee

Back

A raised bank of earth built along a river to prevent flooding.

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Surplus

Back

Extra food or goods beyond what is needed for survival.

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City-state

Back

An independent city with its own government, laws, and leaders, plus the land around it.

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Polytheism

Back

The belief in many gods.

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Ziggurat

Back

A large, pyramid-shaped temple built in Mesopotamia to honor the gods.

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Cuneiform

Back

The world’s first system of writing, using wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets.

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Scribe

Back

A trained writer who kept records for government, religion, or trade.