- Sumerian scribes developed cuneiform, the earliest known system of writing. Cuneiform means “wedge-shaped” and was written with a stylus pressed into wet clay.
- Cuneiform was first used by the Sumerians in the late 4th millennium BCE and was later adopted by other civilizations in Mesopotamia, including the Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians.
- The Sumerians wrote on clay tablets, which could then be stored or transported easily.
Mathematics
- Sumerian mathematicians were among the first to use a base 60 number system. This system is thought to have been influenced by the fact that there are 360 degrees in a circle. - The Sumerians also used geometry and algebra in order to solve problems related to architecture and construction.
Astronomy
- Sumerian astronomers were able to track the movement of celestial objects, including the sun, moon, and stars. They were also able to predict eclipses and the time of the solstices and equinoxes.
Engineering
- The Sumerians were skilled engineers and built impressive structures without the use of modern machinery. They built canals, bridges, dams, and other hydraulic works, as well as temples, palaces, and cities.
- The Sumerians were also among the first to use ramps and levers in order to move large objects.
Medicine
- Sumerian physicians used a variety of techniques to diagnose and treat illnesses, including observation, examination, and surgery. They also developed a number of medical texts that described various diseases and their symptoms.
Metallurgy
- The Sumerians were skilled metallurgists and worked with copper, bronze, silver, and gold. They were among the first to produce copper and bronze alloys and to use these materials in the production of tools and weapons.