Constructive Models
of Ancient Mesopotamia
Ancient Mesopotamia Museum
Tuesday, Dec 13, 2022, 09:00 AM
Canyon Lake Middle School, Canyon Hills Road, Lake Elsinore, CA, United States
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Below is a list of various models you can make to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise within one of the characteristics/structures of a civilization. Choose one model that sounds interesting to you and go ahead and make it! Be sure to follow all the guidelines and directions for your model. Be ready to share it with your classmates, parents, and staff members on December 13th!
Great source to get you started: http://mesopotamia.mrdonn.org/
Religion
Paint a Mural
1. Paint a mural of Mesopotamian gods and write a brief summary of the creation story/myth including the use of effective story transition words. Make sure to cite the source you used to learn about the creation story.
Requirements: MUST be on a 20x28 size poster board OR LARGER! Completely colored and enlarged images! Attach summary of creation story to poster.
Resource help: http://www.mesopotamia.co.uk/gods/story/sto_set.html
Ziggurat
2. Construct a 3D model of a ziggurat and attach an explanation of what each level of the temple was used for, what was housed inside, and any other interesting facts about the ziggurat.
Requirements: Use any creative materials. Make sure to cite sources used when researching information about ziggurat for writing portion. You may use videos as a source.
Helpful resources:
https://classroom.synonym.com/build-ziggurat-school-project-6240340.html
https://mesopotamia.mrdonn.org/ziggurats.html
Government
Hammurabi's Code
3. Write at least 3 of Hammurabi’s code of laws in cuneiform in clay and on a separate sheet of paper respond in 2 IDEC format responses to the following prompts: Evaluate Hammurabi’s code of laws: IDEC 1: Do you think the consequences were fair or too harsh? IDEC 2: Compare/contrast Hammurabi’s code to American laws today. Are our laws fair or too harsh? How are they similar or dissimilar to Hammurabi’s laws?
Requirements: Must be in clay and writing must be in ink or typed. Make sure to follow IDEC format INCLUDING evidence (this means you will have to research!)
Helpful Resources:
https://watsoneastwoldblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/cuneiform-alphabet.jpg
War Strategies and Tactics
4. Research then showcase at least 5 Mesopotamian war strategies and tactics AND include armory and other military weaponry. Must provide a summary explaining each picture –each picture should represent the war tactics, armory and other military weaponry.
Requirements: If you choose to showcase on a poster board, the board may NOT BE SMALLER THAN 20X28. Make sure to cite your sources. Technology option: Use Sway or https://spark.adobe.com to showcase findings.
Helpful Resources: https://www.historyonthenet.com/mesopotamian-warfare-the-sumerians-akkadians-and-babylonians
http://www.ancientmesopotamians.com/ancient-mesopotamia-military.html
Epic of Gilgamesh Children's Book
5. Make a Children’s book based on “The Epic of Gilgamesh”
Requirements: Visit http://www.mrdowling.com/603-gilgamesh.html to learn about the infamous piece of ancient literature. Summarize the story in kid-friendly language. For every summary (page) you MUST provide an illustration. Remember illustrations in children books are very colorful and bright. Make sure to have very little writing and more images for each page. Also include one of the following: pop ups, reading comprehension questions, unique materials that appeal to touch, rhyming, etc. MUST BE ON 8X10 SIZE PAPER (10 pages) OR https://spark.adobe.com (if using spark adobe, must have minimum of 8 slides.) Remember when telling a children’s story, common beginnings include: once upon a time..
Geography
Irrigation System
6. Construct a model of the geographic region of Mesopotamia with a functioning irrigation system, such as a levee, to demonstrate how the Sumerians controlled the water supply to grow their crops.
Requirements: If model is placed on a poster board, the board may NOT BE SMALLER THAN 11X17. Make sure you are able to articulate how the system works.
Helpful Resources:
Physical Features of Mesopotamia
7. Construct a geographic model using various materials to represent the geographic physical features of the land. Attach a brief written composition describing the land of Mesopotamia. Identify the 2 mountain ranges, 2 rivers, 2 seas near Mesopotamia, plains, plateau, fertile soil near the rivers. Research and provide detailed information about all the physical features of Mesopotamia. Also include on your poster board and in your written response, the present day neighboring countries, and identify the continent Mesopotamia (present day Iraq) is located.
Requirements: Must be on a poster board 11X17 OR LARGER! Make sure features are labeled. Cite your sources as well on written composition!
Culture
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
8. Showcase Nebuchadnezzar’s hanging gardens
Requirements: Explain why Nebuchadnezzar built the hanging gardens, why was it considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and how was it constructed. Visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Kfg1YE-BqTc or http://www.unmuseum.org/mob/hangg.htm
Bas Relief Sculpture
9. Make a bas relief sculpture
Requirements: Research bas relief, and then write a quick summary (1 paragraph) of what this entails AND describe a famous example of this technique. After, construct a model. Visit: http://etc.ancient.eu/photos/mesopotamian-reliefs-2/ for information and http://harringtonharmonies.com/2014/11/ancient-babylon-art-lesson-for-kids.html to get inspired!
The Lyre
10. Make the ancient instrument-The Lyre. See handout for details.
Requirements: Along with the model you construct, please provide a written explanation that answers the following: what was the Lyre made of in ancient times? When/why was it used? Any other special information you found on the instrument?
Ishtar Gate of Babylon
11. Ishtar Gate of Babylon
Requirements: Reconstruction of the Ishtar Gate of Babylon must NOT be shorter than 12 inches. It must be able to stand alone and resemble the original piece. Visit http://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-asia/magnificent-ishtar-gate-babylon-001866 for information and examples. Provide a written paragraph explaining the significance of the Ishtar Gate of Babylon, who created it, why it was created, and any extra information you found important or interesting.
Mesopotamian Cuisine
12. Mesopotamian Cuisine –Research the types of food eaten by the ancient Mesopotamians and the equipment they used to cook, then make a dish for administrators and teachers to taste test.
Requirements: Write up a 3-4 paragraph research composition that addresses the following: 1) Background Info: Discuss the types of food and drinks of the ancient Mesopotamians. What were the natural resources and crops grown in the region? Did the types of food eaten differ from upper to lower social classes? 2)What were some common recipes of the time? 3) What role did religion play in the making of food? 4) Afterwards, make a dish either from an ancient Mesopotamian recipe online OR make your own concoction inspired by the ingredients used by the Mesopotamians. In your composition, discuss what ingredients you used, what inspired you to create it, why you created it (history/background).
http://www.mesopotamia.co.uk/staff/resources/background/bg11/home.html
http://www.historyonthenet.com/mesopotamians/what-did-mesopotamians-eat
Social Levels
3D city-state
13. Build a 3D model of a city state-where did the high class live in relation to their temple? Common class? Slaves? What did the houses look like? Were they different for high, middle, and low class? What were their homes made out of? What did they look like?
Requirements: Choose a city state, and please label the city state and different classes within the walled city-state. Also, make sure to use functional materials that accurately represent the houses and overall city state of Mesopotamia.
Economy
Bazaar
14. Construct a 3D model of a bazaar and what and who bartered. In the model, the production, exchange, and consumption need to be visible and easy to understand.
Requirements: Must cite sources used when researching. Also, must showcase at least 6 items that were bartered.
Mesopotamia Trade Partners
15. Construct a map that showcases Mesopotamia trade partners. Also showcase 5 imports and 3 exports in visual representation with captions.
Requirements: Map must be on an 11X17 size poster OR LARGER! PB Style! Visit: http://www.mesopotamia.co.uk/trade/home_set.html
Transportation
16. Transportation- Construct at least 2 models of types of transportation used by the Mesopotamians. Attach a summary (7-9 sentences) for each model explaining how they made this transportation “vehicle” (materials) and what kinds of goods were transported using this “vehicle” and when it was invented. Option: construct goods as well with labels instead of summary. This option would require you to briefly answer questions on an index card in bullet points. (Must choose 2 of the following: donkey, golf boat, raft, coracle, river boat, cart or *chariot.) Visit: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/131097039125017225/ AND http://www.mesopotamia.co.uk/trade/explore/exp_set.html