SUMERIAN Meaning and
Definition
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Sumerian refers to a distinct ancient civilization that developed around 4,500 BCE in the southern region of present-day Iraq. It is also the name given to the language spoken by the people of this civilization. Sumerian is considered one of the oldest known written languages in human history. The Sumerians made significant contributions to various fields, including agriculture, architecture, mathematics, astronomy, and literature, making them a highly influential civilization in the ancient world.
In the context of language, Sumerian is classified as an agglutinative language, characterized by the use of prefixes, infixes, and suffixes to indicate different grammatical functions. The Sumerians developed a complex writing system known as cuneiform, which consisted of wedge-shaped marks made on clay tablets using a stylus. This system was mainly used for administrative, economic, and religious purposes, and it was eventually adopted by other civilizations in the region.
Regarding the Sumerian civilization itself, it is recognized for its highly structured city-states, with Ur, Uruk, and Eridu being some of the most significant centers. The Sumerians developed a polytheistic religion with a pantheon of gods and goddesses, and they built impressive ziggurats, stepped pyramids, as places of worship. They also invented the wheel, created an advanced irrigation system, and formalized legal codes that influenced subsequent legal systems.
Overall, Sumerian refers to both an ancient civilization and its distinctive language, which played a prominent role in shaping subsequent societies and civilizations in Mesopotamia and beyond.
Top Common Misspellings for SUMERIAN *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for SUMERIAN
Etymology of SUMERIAN
The word "Sumerian" has its etymology rooted in the ancient Mesopotamian civilization that originated in the southern part of modern-day Iraq, known as Sumer. The term "Sumer" itself has its origins in the Akkadian language, which was spoken in ancient Mesopotamia.
The Akkadian word "Šumeru" referred to the region inhabited by the Sumerian people, and it later became "Sumer" in English. The Akkadian language also influenced the later Babylonian and Assyrian civilizations, and the Akkadian term was adopted by these cultures as well. As a result, the term "Sumer" or "Sumerian" became widely recognized as referring to the people and culture of ancient Mesopotamia.
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