Where did it all begin?
Pinpointing the exact origin of humanity is challenging for archaeologists and paleontologists. However, most experts agree our lineage stretches back millions of years with ape-like ancestors, the first definitive evidence of humans, classified within the genus Homo, is estimated to be around 300,000 years old.
As a result, these early humans, likely arising in Africa, possessed anatomical features distinct from their predecessors, including larger brains and the capacity for bipedalism (walking upright). In addition, their tools, though simple, marked a shift towards intentional modification of the environment, hinting at the problem-solving abilities that would become a hallmark of our species.
To answer this question, let's look at the first recorded civilization in our collective history. Flourishing between 4500 and 1900 BCE in southern Mesopotamia (from the Greek language translates to "between two rivers"),
the Sumerian culture stands as the cornerstone of the first recorded civilization. Cradled between the life-giving Tigris and Euphrates rivers, the Sumerians transformed the region from scattered settlements into a network of thriving city-states. Their agriculture, writing, and social organization innovations laid the groundwork for all future Mesopotamian civilizations, like the Babylonians and Assyrians.
Waking up
The Sumerian story begins with the Ubaid people, a pre-literate society credited with developing farming techniques, raising livestock, and establishing the first permanent settlements. Around 4000 BCE, these early communities coalesced into powerful city-states,
each vying to control the fertile land and crucial water resources. Moreover, Major centers like Ur, Uruk, Nippur, Lagash, and Kish emerged, each with its patron deity and distinct political structure.
R.I.F.
The Sumerians were brilliant engineers. Consequently, they devised a complex irrigation system of canals and dikes to control the rivers' annual floods, ensuring bountiful harvests of barley, wheat, and dates. This agricultural surplus fueled population growth and allowed for the rise of specialized professions like artisans, merchants, and administrators.
Further, Sumerian ingenuity extended far beyond agriculture. They created the world's first writing system, cuneiform. This complex system of wedge-shaped impressions pressed into clay tablets allowed for recording everything from economic transactions to epic poems. As a result, cuneiform became the dominant form of writing in the region for centuries and served as the foundation for later writing systems like the Phoenician alphabet.
Sumerian society was hierarchical, with a king at the top, believed to be divinely chosen by the city's patron god. Meanwhile, Priests wielded significant power, overseeing religious ceremonies and interpreting divine pronouncements. Subsequently, below them were nobles, bureaucrats, skilled artisans and laborers, and finally, enslaved people.
Byrd in Antartica
Urban Goatboy
Moreover, Sumerian religion played a central role in their lives. They believed in a pantheon of gods and goddesses who controlled the forces of nature and human destiny. Elaborate temples, ziggurats (tiered pyramids), and religious festivals were central aspects of Sumerian culture. Most importantly, their rich mythology, with epics like the "Epic of Gilgamesh," explored themes of creation, mortality, and the struggle for power.
Despite its achievements, Sumer's history is marked by conflict. Competition for resources and shifting alliances led to frequent warfare between city-states. In addition, the complex irrigation system required constant maintenance, and failures could lead to famine and social unrest.
By 2300 BCE, the Akkadians, a Semitic people from the north, rose to power, ultimately conquering Sumer. While Akkadian rule ushered in a new era, Sumerian cultural influence remained strong. So, their language continued to be used in religious and literary contexts well into the second millennium BCE.
To sum up, the Sumerian legacy is undeniable. They laid the groundwork for urban living, complex social structures, and technological advancements that shaped the course of human history. Meanwhile, their art, literature, and religious beliefs continue to fascinate scholars and inspire us today. Theirs is a story of innovation, resilience, and the enduring power of human creativity. But how did they jump from a nomadic tribe to engineering a thriving, cohesive society?
The Odd couple
In order to find out what sparked this new level of understanding and intelligence, we must look at their recorded stories. For example, I mentioned the documented text, The Epic of Gilgamesh, which the Sumerians wrote in cuneiform. Well, what is the story about?
The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest surviving works of literature and a profound exploration of human nature, friendship, and the eternal struggle against mortality. Emerging from Sumerian tradition sometime around the 21st century BCE, the epic recounts the tale of Gilgamesh, a powerful and arrogant king of Uruk.
Gilgamesh is depicted as a two-thirds god, three-thirds man, reflecting his immense strength and divine lineage. Initially, the epic portrays him as a tyrannical ruler, oppressing his people with forced labor. In response, the gods create Enkidu, a wild man raised by animals, as a counterpoint to Gilgamesh's dominance.
Their paths collide in an epic duel, but instead of defeating Enkidu, Gilgamesh recognizes his equal. An unlikely friendship blossoms, and together, they embark on grand adventures. They conquer the monstrous Humbaba, guardian of the Cedar Forest, and embark on a perilous journey to obtain immortality.
Consciousness begins
However, tragedy strikes when Enkidu falls ill and dies. Gilgamesh is shaken to his core by witnessing the mortality of his dearest friend. Filled with a newfound fear of death, he embarks on a desperate quest for immortality. His journey leads him to meet Utnapishtim (some say he is Noah), the sole survivor of a great flood, who possesses the secret to eternal life.
Ultimately, Gilgamesh fails in his quest for immortality, but not without gaining valuable wisdom. He learns to appreciate life's impermanence and the importance of living meaningfully. The epic concludes with Gilgamesh returning to Uruk, no longer obsessed with conquering death but focused on his role as a just and responsible king.
Consequently, the Epic of Gilgamesh transcends its ancient origins. It delves into universal human themes that resonate with us today. Above all, the fear of death, the power of friendship, and the search for meaning in a finite existence are all timeless questions that the epic explores with remarkable depth and complexity. Furthermore, the epic provides valuable insights into Mesopotamian society, their belief in Gods (people not of this world), and their views on human potential.
Less is more
As a result, one can conclude that Gods and Demi-Gods may have contributed to the rise in intelligence and understanding of primitive people. Likewise, it is not a stretch to see the amount of years (300K) from nomad to citizen. The level of organization, teaching, learning, and governance came from nowhere. So, how does this knowledge get created?
In summation, the Epic of Gilgamesh gives credibility to the idea that the writer was communicating a story they were experiencing. In addition, the human experience hasn't changed much in over 6,000 years. We are all still focused on the human struggle to understand our place in the universe. My suggestion is to know that you are not and have never been alone on this planet or any other.
