Ancient Mesopotamia- Geography of the Fertile Crescent

6th Grade Social StudiesChapter 5 Lesson 1 in the World Text

The Big Picture Around 4000 BC Egyptian

farming communities were growing along the Nile River. Another civilization was

also developing in Western Asia.▪ This area was later called the

Fertile Crescent because it looks like a quarter moon.

The Fertile Crescent covers the present-day countries of Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Israel.

The Big Picture

Much of the land was either rocky mountains or desert.

The 2 rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates, made life in these areas possible.

Between 2 Rivers

The region between the Tigris and the Euphrates is known as Mesopotamia. In Greek it means

“land between two rivers.”

This area is now known as Iraq.

Between 2 Rivers-From Mountains to the Sea

Both the Tigris and the Euphrates begin in the Taurus Mountains, located in Turkey.

The rivers rush down and then reach the plateau, located in present-day northern Iraq. A plateau is an area of

elevated flatland. In southern Iraq the rivers

flow to lower land and empty into the Persian Gulf.

Between 2 Rivers-Flood Early communities in Mesopotamia

depended on river deposits of silt. It made the region a good place for farming.

Mesopotamia’s yearly floods did NOT come as regularly as those in Egypt. They often came at the wrong time for farmers. The rivers did not flood during planting season

when dry fields needed to be softened and prepared for new growth.

Instead, floods came just as crops were ready to be harvested.

Between 2 Rivers-Flood Farmers had to protect their fields

from flood damage. They also had to keep them watered in

the hot, dry climate. Southern Mesopotamia rarely

received rain. Droughts, or long periods of dry

weather, were a constant threat to farmers and their crops.

Between 2 Rivers-Flood Northern Mesopotamia usually had

enough rain, but the rocky earth had only pockets of fertile soil. The flooding rivers did NOT leave behind as

much silt in the north. Which area (Northern or Southern

Mesopotamia) had more fertile land? Explain. Southern Mesopotamia b/c there was more

silt in the south.

From River to Field

In the Fall farmers of southern Mesopotamia needed water to plant and raise new crops. Unfortunately, Fall

was the time when the Tigris and Euphrates rivers were at their lowest.

Mesopotamia- Tigris River

From River to Field Spring was harvest time; however, it was

also the time the rivers flooded. The time the rivers flooded was such a

problem because it happened during the harvest. The perfect time would be the Fall since this is

when they were planting the crops and the fields were dry.

To solve these difficulties, ancient farmers learned to build water-control and irrigation systems.

From River to Field-Farming in Ancient Mesopotamia

Early farmers grew many different crops. The areas MOST

important crops were wheat and barley.

Other crops included: beans, onions, lettuce, cucumbers, spice plants, date palm, apple and pomegranate trees.

From River to Field-Farming in Ancient Mesopotamia

Mesopotamian farmers planted their crops and trees along canal banks.

On the edges of village farmland, you might see shepherds caring for sheep and goats. Sheep were especially

prized for their milk and wool.

From River to Field-Farming in Ancient Mesopotamia

Ancient Mesopotamians also valued cattle because they were good work animals and were used for milk, leather, and meat.

Why it Matters?

Water and soil brought by the Tigris and Euphrates helped to make this civilization possible.

The farmers figured out how to use the two rivers to make the land more fertile.

As in some early cultures, the farmers of Mesopotamia produced surplus crops. These surpluses allowed for

specialization, which in turn led to the growth of towns and cities.

Main Ideas

Mesopotamia is the region between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. It is divided into a rugged plateau to the

north and fertile plains to the south. Like the Nile River, the Tigris and

Euphrates flood each year. These floods brought water and silt to

Mesopotamia.

Main Ideas

Unlike those in Egypt, floods in Mesopotamia were often destructive and badly timed for farmers.

Mesopotamian farmers used canal systems to control dangerous flooding, making their land productive.