Mesopotamia

With Iraq currently in the world's spotlight, trace its beginnings in Mesopotamia - its name in ancient times. Mesopotamia has been called the 'cradle of civilisation' because agriculture, animal herding and domestication developed there earlier than anywhere else, almost 8,000 years ago.

By 3,000 BC, the Mesopotamians had already invented the wheel, developed writing, and created the world's first cities and monumental architecture. Find out more about the many aspects of Mesopotamia's rich legacy.

Map of Mesopotamia	Prehistoric figurines	Early writing	The Royal Standard of Ur
Seal of Adda	Clay figure of a god	Babylonian kudurru	Assyrian crown
Assyrian guardian figure	Ashurbanipal	The Flood Tablet	The Arch of Ctesiphon

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