Sumerian Art

Sumerian Art
What was once the flat lower valley of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers was transformed by the Sumerians into the Fertile Crescent of the ancient world. (Kleiner 18) The Sumerian art was one of great power and originality, and influenced all of the cultures of western Asia. (Infoplease 1) Sumerian art was primarily made of clay, because it was their most abundant material. It’s responsible for their style of baked-mud building, and their fine-textured pottery. Other materials had to be imported. Sculpture was the main art form used. (Sumerian 1) Another addition to the world that the Sumerians are responsible for is the cuneiform writing system, which they invented around 3000 B.C. (Infoplease 1) most art was made for religious purposes. Ancient Sumer was made up of a dozen independent city-states, and each one was under the protection of one of the Mesopotamian gods. The rulers in Sumer were thought to be the god’s representatives on earth. (Kleiner 18) ...