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T There were two early cultures of Southern Mesopotamia. These were the Ubiad period and the Uruk period. The Ubiad period lasted from ca. 4100-3750 B.C. Than gradually a new culture came into existence. This was the Uruk culture. It lasted from about 3900-3500 B.C. It grew out of the Ubiad culture. Ancient Uruk was located in what is now Al Warka’, Iraq. There were some very significant inventions during this time. One was the boat. Materials were transported by man and beast or with the help of sledges, wagons, chariots and boats. Transporting by boat was economical as well as feasible. Large boats were constructed in shipyards and were made out of wood. These boats were most likely used for long journeys to far away lands, and could haul many, many pounds of materials. The ziggurat was also invented during this time. This is a very important part of history to archaeologists. The ziggurat was a giant terraced tower made like a huge layer cake, with a temple on top that was dedicated to their gods. Some people mistakenly believe that (as in the case of the tower of Babel, ect…) the ziggurat was a ladder or staircase to reach up to heaven. I used to believe this myself. But the Uruk culture believed that in their temple they could meet with the gods, kind of like a half-way point between heaven and earth. We, of course know this is just foolishness. The ziggurat was not hollow, and did not have any rooms inside of it. It was a solid mass of bricks. The outside was a cover of burnt bricks set in bitumen (or slime, Genesis 11:3). It rose above the ground in three irregular stages. The ziggurat was the largest and tallest, most important building in the city. Not long before the Second World War, a German expedition uncovered hundreds of small clay tablets at the ancient location of Uruk. They were inscribed with semipictographic signs that date from about 3000 B.C., not long before writing was first invented. This remarkable period of history saw a number of very significant changes that have lasted down through the ages and helped to shape the way we live today. © 2003 by Terra A. Mandrell ~ Please do not reprint or duplicate without permission. |
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