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Ancient Mesopotamia Unit Study

This unit study explores the fascinating world of Ancient Mesopotamia—often called the cradle of civilization. Designed for a range of ages, it includes printable worksheets, maps, project ideas, and links to full lesson plans across multiple subjects. Kids can dig into topics like cuneiform writing, early inventions, daily life, and major civilizations such as the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians.

The unit is suitable for grades K–12, with flexibility to adapt based on your learners’ ages and abilities. Please preview links and activities to ensure they are appropriate for your family. New resources will be added as time allows.

Many of the links below lead to printable resources that can be added to a notebook or lapbook for this study.

Learning Objectives

Many parents and teachers will need to create their own goals. You can compare the goals at these sites to create your own goals depending on how stringent your requirements need to be. All links have several suggested activities for different ages.

Suggested Curriculum Standards:

Learning Objectives

  • Compare and contrast the lives of early people in the Paleolithic Age and the Neolithic Age.
  • Understand the causes and consequences that community living made in the lives of early people.
  • List positive and negative aspects of community life in the ancient world.
  • Understand why the need arose for laws to govern society.
  • Express in the written form of an editorial letter a clear opinion about one of Hammurabi’s laws
  • Identify recurring patterns in world history.
  • Appreciate the importance of ancient history.
  • Develop listening skills and demonstrate these skills.
  • Become familiar with terms and procedures related to topic.
  • Dramatize information learned about topic.
  • Evaluate information based on prior experiences and newly acquired knowledge.
  • Research a variety of documents to obtain knowledge.
  • Exercise critical thinking skills.
  • Learn to gather and use research information.
  • Create a notebook to demonstrate organizational skills.

Bible References

Look up and compare scriptures at the sites below. In your journal note how the different translations and versions help you to have a fuller understanding of the text.

Bible Tools:


Genesis 12-25.
The story of Abraham
Book of Esther.
The story of Esther.
Joshua
Ruth
Judges
1 Samuel
Jonah
Discuss the Abrahamic Covenant as it relates to the land.

Blue Letter Bible. “Dictionary and Word Search for ‘Mesopotamia’ in the KJV”. Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2007. 24 Jun 2007. https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/search.cfm?Criteria=Mesopotamia&t=KJV#s=s_primary_0_1

Vocabulary

 

city-state

Tigris River

edubba

scribe

Mesopotamia

cuneiform

stylus

Gilgamesh

Sumer

levees

Hammurabi of Babylon

irrigate

Euphrates River

ziggurat

Divine rule

priest-king

cradle of civilization

Legal Code

Sargon I

Empire

Writing and Journal Activities

  • Make a book about hunter-gatherers: *Could You Survive as a Hunter-Gatherer?* What did hunter-gatherers eat? What does “domestication” mean? What environmental conditions were necessary to domesticate plants? What plants did the Mesopotamians domesticate?
  • Do a mini-study of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. What king is credited with building the gardens, and why did he have them built? Where does most of our information about the gardens come from? Why can’t scientists fully trust eyewitness accounts of what the gardens looked like?
  • Study transportation methods in ancient Mesopotamia. What is a chariot? Describe or draw what you think a chariot looked like. Do you think Mesopotamians invented sailboats? Where might they have sailed?
  • Why did the Mesopotamians invent writing? How did they write? What does cuneiform mean? The first kind of written language was ___, which means what? What were some effects of the invention of written language? Try reproducing some cuneiform characters. Why was writing such an important invention? Write your name in cuneiform.
  • Old Persian was likely used more commonly than previously thought. For the first time, a text has been found in Old Persian that was used for practical recording, not just royal display. It’s written on a damaged clay tablet from the Persepolis Fortification Archive, now held at the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago. The tablet records the payout of at least 600 quarts of an unidentified commodity to five villages near Persepolis around 500 B.C. Read the full article from The University of Chicago News Office (June 15, 2007): http://www-news.uchicago.edu/releases/07/070615.oldpersian.shtml
  • Compare Gilgamesh to a modern-day hero. What similarities or differences do you notice?
  • You might write about Noah. Many ancient history scholars believe the flood described in the Epic of Gilgamesh refers to the same event mentioned in the story of Noah.
  • Eternal youth or everlasting life has long fascinated humanity. Describe what others in history have done to search for eternal life, the fountain of youth, or other similar ideas. Do people still search for these things today? In what ways?
  • “Alduch, you worthless slave! I have been calling for you! Change into your clean tunic and present yourself for duty in five minutes. You are to serve the head table tonight. What an honor for a slave such as you!” In story form, write about the banquet, describing the food, the behavior of the guests, and the entertainment. Yes, it will require research for authenticity.
  • Newspaper Creation: Design a front page of a modern-style newspaper using ancient Mesopotamian content. Include a masthead, dateline, byline, wire service, image (cut), caption (cutline), and two articles relating to ancient Mesopotamia.
  • You Are There: Take on the persona of someone living in ancient Mesopotamia. Answer interview questions from the teacher and include a diagram of your locale. All information should be placed in a lapbook or journal.
  • Webpage Creation: Create a webpage about ancient Mesopotamia to demonstrate what you’ve learned about the region.

Timeline and Geographical Data

List of Rulers of Mesopotamia https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/meru/hd_meru.htm

Maps

Book Resources

For Younger Readers

Ancient Near East by Nancy Conkle A Bellerophon Coloring Book
The Ancient Near East (World History), by Clarice Swisher
Early Civilizations (Usborne Illustrated World History), by Jane Chisholm & Anne Millard
The Sumerians (The Cradle of Civilization), by Elaine Landau.
The Golden Sandal (folktale) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjnK7dR6cwg
The Enchanted Storks (folktale)
Tale of Caliph Stork (folktale) https://www.shortkidstories.com/story/story-caliph-stork/

For Older Readers

Adam and His Kin: The Lost History of Their Lives and Times, by Ruth Beechick
Ancient Civilizations, Grades 1-3 (Evan-Moor History Pockets EMC 3701), by Jill Norris
Ancient Egyptians and Their Neighbors: An Activity Guide, by Marian Broida
Ancient Mesopotamia by Don Nardo
Ancient Mesopotamia: the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians by Virgina Schomp
Ancient Mesopotamia Research Project Pack, by In The Hands of A Child. HOCPP 1035
Ancient Mesopotamia Teacher’s Toolbook, by Performance Education
Ancient Myths, by Norma Lorre Goodrich
Ancient Persia by Don Nardo
Biography from Ancient Civilizations, Hammurabi
The Buildings of Ancient Mesopotamia, by Helen Leacroft and Richard Leacroft
A Child’s History of the World
The City of Rainbows: A Tale from Ancient Sumer, by Karen Polinger Foster
The Cultural Atlas of Mesopotamia and the Ancient Near East, by Michael Roaf
Daily Life in Ancient Mesopotamia, by Karen Rhea Nemet-Nejat
Empires of Mesopotamia by Don Nardo
Everyday Life in Babylonia and Assyria, by H.W.F. Saggs
Eyewitness Mesopotamia by Philip Steele
First Book of Ancient Mesopotamia and Persia, by Charles Alexander Robinson
First Cities the World of Ancient Sumer by Tom B. Jones
From the Poetry of Sumer: Creation, Glorification, Adoration, by Samuel Noah Kramer
From the Tablets of Sumer; Twenty-five Firsts in Man’s Recorded History, by by Samuel Noah Kramer
Gilgamesh, by Bernarda Bryson
Gilgamesh Epic and Old Testament Parallels, by Alexander Heidel
Gilgamesh the King, by Ludmila Zeman
Gilgamesh: Translated from the Sin-Leqi-Unninni Version by John Gardner and John Maier
God King: A Story in the Days of King Hezekiah by Johanne Williamson
Hadassah: The Girl Who Became Queen Esther, by Tommy Tenney
Hands-On Ancient People, Volume 1: Art Activities about Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Islam, by Yvonne Y. Merrill
Heavenly Zoo: Legends and Tales of the Stars by Alison Lurie
A History of the Ancient World, by Chester G. Starr
History Begins at Sumer: Thirty-nine Firsts in Man’s Recorded History by Samuel Noah Kramer
History of Sumer and Akkad: An Account of the Early Races of Babylonia from Prehistoric Times to the Foundation of the Babylonian Monarchy, by Leonard W. King
History of the Ancient & Medieval World by Henk Dijkstra
Heroes & Gods of Ancient Sumer, by In The Hands of A Child. HOCPP 1111
How the Bible Came to Us by Meryl Doney
In the World of Sumer: An Autobiography by Samuel Noah Kramer
Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth: Her Stories and Hymns from Sumer by Diane Wolkstein and Samuel Noah Kramer
Iraq: from Sumer to Post-Saddam by Geoff Simons
Ishtar and Tammuz: A Babylonian Myth of the Seasons, by Christopher J. Moore
Kingfisher’s Illustrated History of the World
Land of the Two Rivers by Leonard Cottrell
The Last Quest of Gilgamesh by Ludmila Zeman
The Life & Times of Hammurabi (Biography from Ancient Civilizations), by Tamera Bryan
The Looting of the Iraq Museum, Baghdad: The Lost Legacy of Ancient Mesopotamia by Milbry Polk
Magic Treehouse: Season of the Sandstorms, by Mary Pope Osborne
Mesopotamia by Julian Reade
Mesopotamia (Cultures of the Past), by Pamela Service
Mesopotamia, Iraq in Ancient Times, by Peter Chrisp
Mesopotamia, The Civilization That Rose Out of Clay by JR. Walter A. Fairservis
Mesopotamia: Creating and Solving Word Problems by Bonnie Coulter Leech
Mesopotamia and the Fertile Crescent, by John Malam
Mesopotamia: The Mighty Kings (Lost Civilizations) by Dale M. Brown
Mesopotamia: Writing, Reasoning, and the Gods by Jean Bottéro; translated by Zainab Bahrani and Marc Van De Mieroop
Murder in Mesopotamia: A Hercule Poirot Mystery, by Agatha Christie
Mystery of History Volume 1: Creation to the Resurrection by Linda Lacour Hobar
Noah’s Ark and the Ararat Adventure by John Morris
Old Testament Days: An Activity Guide, by Nancy I. Sanders
Outrageous Women of Ancient Times by Vicki Leon
Oxford First Ancient History by Roy Burrell
The Revenge of Ishtar by Ludmila Zeman
Rich and Poor in Mesopotamia: Iraq in Ancient Times by Richard Dargie
To Ride the Gods Own Stallion, by Diane Wilson
Science in Ancient Mesopotamia, by Carol Moss
Search for Lost Cities (Treasure Hunters) by Nicola Barber
Stone that Spoke, and Other Clues to the Decipherment of Lost Languages by Steven Frimmer
Story of World Religions by Katharine Savage
Story of the World Volume 1 Ancient Times by Susan Wise Bauer
The Story of the World: Activity Book One: Ancient Times, by S. Wise Bauer
Streams of Civilization Earliest Times to the Discovery of the New World Vol. 1 by Mary Stanton, Michael McHugh, and Albert Hyma
Sumer and the Sumerians by Harriet Crawford
Sumer: Cities of Eden by Time-Life Books
The Sumerians by Leila Merrell Foster
Sumerians Inventors and Builders by Elizabeth Lansing
The Sumerians Their History, Culture, and Character by Samuel Noah Kramer
The Technology of Mesopotamia by Graham Faiella
The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers by Melissa Whitcraft
The Usborne Book of World History
World History Made Simple: Matching History with the Bible, Ruth Beechick
You Wouldn’t Want to be a Sumerian Slave: A Life of Hard Labor You’d Rather Avoid by Jacqueline Morley
Beauty In The Fields: The Diary Of Ruth’s Fellow Harvester, Moab And Israel, About 1200 B.C. Promised Land Diaries by Anne Tyra Adams and Dennis Edwards
Laughing Princess of the Desert: The Diary of Sarah’s Traveling Companion Promised Land Diaries by Anne Tyra Adams and Dennis Edwards
Peaceful Warrior: The Diary of Deborah’s Armor Bearer, Israel, 1200 B.C. Promised Land Diaries by Anne Tyra Adams and Dennis Edwards
Persia’s Brightest Star: The Diary of Queen Esther’s Attendant Promised Land Diaries by Anne Tyra Adams and Dennis Edwards
Priceless Jewel at the Well: The Diary of Rebekah’s Nursemaid, Canaan, 1986-1985 B.C. Promised Land Diaries by Anne Tyra Adams and Dennis Edwards
Songbird Of The Nile: The Diary Of Miriam’s Best Friend, Egypt, 1527-1526 B.C. Promised Land Diaries by Anne Tyra Adams and Dennis Edwards

Videos and DVD’s

Technology Activities

  • Research the region and time period to create a digital presentation about ancient Mesopotamia. Include slides or pages that cover religion, daily life, government, art and literature, technology, and the reasons for decline.
  • Search the web to expand your “hotlist” of helpful websites. Write a short annotation for each one, describing what the site offers and how it can help others with their research. Suggested search terms: Mesopotamia, Sumeria, Babylon, cuneiform, ziggurat, and Hammurabi.
  • Complete a webquest to research the contributions of the Mesopotamian people to modern-day society.

    https://web.archive.org/web/20070504051908/http://www.seekonk.k12.ma.us/WebQuests/MesopotamiaWQ.html

Language Arts Resources

Ancient Mesopotamia 101 | National Geographic

Ancient Mysteries: Uncovering The Sumerian Civilization Secrets

Art and Music Resources & Activities

Visual Arts & Artifacts

Music

Hands-On Art Projects

  • City-State Creation: Using poster board and colored pencils, design a Sumerian city-state based on your research. Include: title, compass rose, scale of miles, legend, ziggurat, city wall, farmland, irrigation system, narrow winding streets, government buildings, courtyards, and homes for different social classes.
  • Cuneiform in Clay: After a cuneiform lesson, create a clay tablet with inscriptions that are decipherable. Try writing your name in cuneiform!
  • Ziggurat Replicas: Build a model ziggurat using sugar cubes, milk cartons, or Styrofoam. Work in small groups to complete this as a cooperative project.
  • Ziggurat Paper Model: Complete the “Built Environment” activity (No. 48) from the Atlas of Discovery site and build a ziggurat out of paper.

    https://web.archive.org/web/20201127014118/http://www.jaconline.com.au/atlasofdiscovery/learningcentres.htm

  • Compare Structures: Compare your ziggurat model to the step pyramids found in ancient America or Egypt. What similarities or differences do you notice?
  • Standard of Ur: Research this famous artifact. Try creating your own version in glass, paper, or mixed media.
  • Gilgamesh Commercial: Create an advertising pitch for an eternal youth potion like the one Gilgamesh sought. What’s it made of? How much does it cost? What must you do to get it?

Pottery & Techniques

Art Lessons

Mathematics Resources & Activities

  • Wikipedia: Babylonian Mathematics — Learn about mathematical practices in ancient Babylon.
  • Cuneiform Numbers and Uses — Explore Babylonian numbers, including how they represented fractions and large numbers.
  • Sumerian Mathematics — This site explains how Babylonian math used both aggregation (like Roman numerals) and place notation (like our current system). Numbers 1 to 59 were written using aggregation; from 60 onward, place notation was introduced. The system was sexagesimal—based on 60 instead of 10.
  • Even today, we still use parts of the Babylonian base-60 system. Can you think of some examples? (Hint: 60 seconds, 60 minutes, 360 degrees in a circle.)
  • Why might the Babylonians have chosen base 60? (It has many factors, which makes division easier. Fractions and multiples of 60 often appear in seasonal and calendrical cycles—important to farming life.)
  • Why do you think we use base 10 instead of base 60? What might be the advantages and disadvantages of using base 10, base 60, or even base 12?
  • Ancient Number Systems — Learn about ancient Mesopotamian math, and view a chart of the 59 symbols used in Babylonian math.
  • Math Practice: Practice basic arithmetic (like addition and multiplication) by translating Arabic numerals into Babylonian numerals using the ancient system.

Science Resources & Activities

Social Studies Resources & Activities

Watch a video introduction to Mesopotamian legacy

Explore more on Mesopotamia’s rich cultural legacy:

Additional Note: The “Remembering God’s Awesome Acts” unit study (grades 5–12) includes Mesopotamia-related activities such as a cuneiform translation page and flood comparisons between the Bible and the Epic of Gilgamesh.

Games

How to Play Backgammon video

Geography Questions to Answer

Use a labeled map of ancient Mesopotamia to answer the following:

  • What does the word “Mesopotamia” mean?
  • What are the two main rivers that water the region?
  • Why did the Mesopotamians settle near water?
  • Why didn’t they settle near ocean water instead?
  • List three geographical features surrounding Mesopotamia.
  • What location has the highest elevation on this map?
  • What body of water do the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers flow into?

Additional Geography & Culture Resources

Home Economics Resources & Activities

Imagine the kitchens of Hammurabi’s palace are bustling with preparations for a magnificent banquet in honor of visiting dignitaries from all corners of the trading world—even the distant shores of the Indus River. You’ve been mistaken for Digesh’s cooking assistant. He gestures toward a table lined with clay recipe bricks and instructs you to prepare a delectable and typical Babylonian dish for the evening’s festivities. Choose one to recreate and bring samples to share with your homeschool group!

Religion Resources

Hammurabi’s Code of Laws

Explore the oldest known written law code and how it compares with other ancient legal and moral systems. After studying Hammurabi’s laws, try creating your own “family code” or class code based on fairness and justice.

Activity Suggestion: After reviewing examples from Hammurabi’s Code, write your own family or classroom law code. What behaviors are rewarded? What consequences are fair? Decorate your code on a “stone tablet” made of cardboard or clay.

Wordsearches & Crossword Puzzles

Crossword puzzles
WordMint Mesopotamia Word Search, Word Scramble, Crosswords
Mesopotamia Word Search
Code of Hammurabi Word Search
Online Word Search Game

Complete Unit Resources

Mr Donn’s Ancient Mesopotamia Unit Plan
Edhelper Ancient Mesopotamia Theme
Mr. Dowling’s Mesopotamia page, includes interactive quiz. Mr. Dowling also has a YouTube playlist for Mesopotamia https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFUptFBVTnlEO1X_MdDy6p_AzTqvtogPe

Link Lists

https://kidskonnect.com/history/ancient-mesopotamia/
https://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/ancientmiddleeast.htm
https://www.sumerian.org/sumlinks.htm

Information Resources

Notebook Resources

The forms found here are based on Tapestry of Grace Year 1. However, regardless of the curriculum you use, you will find their study aids and websites helpful for this historical time frame. https://highland.hitcho.com.au/ancienthistory.htm

Research Graphics and Worksheets including ziggurat.

Clip Art Resources

https://classroomclipart.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20070809043643/http://www.phillipmartin.info/clipart/mesopotamia.htm

Evaluation Ideas

Assemble a three ring binder and please include:

Additional Evaluation Ideas

  • Test Questions https://stutzfamily.com/mrstutz/mesopotamia/testreview.html
  • Essay on the various topics discussed.
  • Create a notebook by printing the unit, then the daily assignments from Homeschool Tracker, then printing the digital scrapbook pages you create with pictures of all the projects! Any worksheets that are done are added next, then anything else that will fit. Hole punch the whole lot for your three-ring binder and your child can make a cover on oaktag which is also threering punched and put it together with brass paper fasteners.

Unit Safari Ancient Mesopotamia Unit was originally compiled July 29, 1999, with revisits November 2004 and June 24, 2007. Updated for clarity and current context in 2025.

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