Early writing: The first known writing system, cuneiform, was developed by the Sumerians in ancient Mesopotamia. Cuneiform was a system of wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets that were used to write down laws, stories, and other information.
Wheel: The wheel was first invented in ancient Mesopotamia and was used for transportation, pottery-making, and other purposes.
Mathematics: The Babylonians of ancient Mesopotamia developed a complex system of mathematics that included the use of place value, fractions, and algebra.
Astronomy: The Babylonians were also skilled astronomers and made detailed observations of the stars and planets. They developed a calendar that was based on the phases of the moon.
Architecture: The ancient Mesopotamians were accomplished builders and constructed some of the world's first cities, temples, and palaces. The ziggurat, a type of stepped pyramid, was a common feature of Mesopotamian architecture.
Legal codes: The Code of Hammurabi, one of the world's oldest legal codes, was written in ancient Babylon and established a system of laws that were based on the principle of "an eye for an eye."
Literature: The ancient Mesopotamians produced a rich body of literature, including the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the world's oldest and most famous works of literature.
Trade: The ancient Mesopotamians were skilled traders and had trade routes that extended throughout the Middle East.
The contributions of ancient Mesopotamia to world civilization were significant and far-reaching. Many of the things that we take for granted today, such as writing, the wheel, and mathematics, were first developed in this region of the world. The ancient Mesopotamians were a gifted and accomplished people who made a lasting impact on human history.