We study ancient societies such as those that arose from Mesopotamia because we say that they have developed significant innovations that had an impact on societies that came after them, including our own. 

Out of all of the innovations which have been ascribed to Mesopotamian cultures, how do we decide which are the most significant, and thus worthy of study? 

One place to start is to define what we mean by historical significance.  "Significant events include those that resulted in great change over long periods of time for large numbers of people. Significance depends upon one’s perspective and purpose. A historical person or event can acquire significance if we, the historians, can link it to larger trends and stories that reveal something important for us today." - from The Historical Thinking Project

For this assignment, you are going to look at four Mesopotamian innovations. You will consider the significance of each one, then decide which you have determined is the most significant of them all. 

• Agricultural innovations such as irrigation and dykes to control watering of crops
• Development of writing and record keeping
• Building and managing of the first cities
• Creation of money to facilitate trade in a large network

Step 1

Download the worksheet below (either doc or pdf). For each innovation, list at least three reasons for its significance based on the course materials. Rank each item in terms of its significance. 

Step 2

Write a paragraph in which you explain your choices, detailing why you chose one innovation as being the most significant of them all. 

You will need to introduce your paragraph with a topic sentence that sounds something like the following:

Though Mesopotamian societies developed many significant innovations, I believe that the most significant was ______________ because __________________ . 

You will need to hand in both your worksheet and paragraph. They will be marked according to the rubric below. 

Insert required rubric