Sumerians were the first people of Mesopotamia to use
A the plow.
B irrigation.
C a spoken language.
D a number system based on 100.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is A) the plow.
Explanation:
The Sumerians, an ancient civilization that emerged in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), are recognized for many innovations that shaped early human society. Among their notable contributions is the plow, an essential tool in agriculture, which revolutionized farming practices.
The Plow:
The Sumerians are credited with inventing the earliest known plow around 4000 BCE. This tool allowed them to till the soil more effectively, increasing the efficiency of planting crops. Prior to the plow, farming was labor-intensive and less productive, as farmers had to use simple hand tools like hoes. With the plow, fields could be prepared faster and with less effort, enabling the Sumerians to cultivate larger areas and grow more food. This, in turn, supported population growth and the development of urban centers.
Other Innovations:
- Irrigation (B): While irrigation was also vital in Mesopotamia, allowing the Sumerians to control water from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers to nourish crops, it predates them. Evidence suggests that the earliest forms of irrigation systems were in use before the Sumerians, possibly by earlier cultures in the Fertile Crescent.
- Spoken Language (C): While Sumerians did develop the earliest known written language, cuneiform, spoken languages existed long before the Sumerians. They are not credited with inventing spoken language itself.
- Number System Based on 100 (D): The Sumerians used a sexagesimal (base 60) number system, not a base 100 system. This base 60 system influenced how we measure time (60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour) and angles (360 degrees in a circle).
Thus, the Sumerians’ use of the plow was a foundational innovation that transformed their agricultural economy.