Ancient Mesopotamia Inventions Illustration

Ancient Mesopotamia for Kids


The Sumerians were very inventive people.  It is believed that they invented the sailboat, the chariot, the wheel, and the plow. For certain they developed cuneiform, the first written language,  games and toys including the game of checkers, cylinder seals (used to sign legal documents like contracts), the first super hero (Gilgamesh), and many tools and implements to help with building and farming. They invented and used a system of math based on the number 60.  Today we still divide an hour into 60 minutes, and put 360 degrees into a circle. Amazingly enough, we still use some Sumerian words today, words like crocus, which is a flower, and saffron which is both a color and a spice.

One of the greatest Babylonian achievements was a written set of laws.

One of the greatest Assyrian achievements was the library at Ninevah.

Cylinder Seals

Cuneiform - The First Written Language

Gilgamesh - The First Super-Hero

Hammurabi's Law Code - Written Down, and Applied to Everyone

Toys and Games

Hanging Gardens of Babylon (one of the 7 wonders of the world!)

Library at Nineveh

Science and Invention in Ancient Mesopotamia

Architectural Marvels

Interactive Quiz about the Land Between Two Rivers (with answers)

See also: Ancient Inventions