WH 3.3: Sumerian Achievements

The Sumerians invented calligraphy, the world’s first writing system.

• True

• False

Sumerians first used cuneiform to create poems about the gods and military victories.

• True, they wanted to please the gods.

• False, it was to keep business records.

Sumerians wrote epics, or long poems that tell the stories of heroes.

• True

• False

The most important Sumerian invention was a math system based on the number 60.

• True, it allowed them to teach math to scribes.

• False, cuneiform was the most important.

In terms of art, Sumer was most famous for its pottery.

• True

• False

Sumerians used cylinder seals (small stone cylinders engraved with designs) to show ownership of containers and to “sign” documents.

• True

• False