Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia Latest News

Researchers recently discovered an extensive and remarkably well-preserved system of ancient irrigation canals in the Eridu region of southern Mesopotamia, offering fresh insights into early agricultural practices.

About Mesopotamia

• Mesopotamia is located in the region now known as the Middle East, which includes parts of southwest Asia and lands around the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
• It is part of the Fertile Crescent, an area also known as the “Cradle of Civilization” for the number of innovations that arose from the early societies in this region, which are among some of the earliest known human civilizations on earth.
• The word “mesopotamia” is formed from the ancient words “meso,” meaning between or in the middle of, and “potamos,” meaning river. 
• Situated in the fertile valleys between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, the region is now home to modern-day Iraq, Kuwait, Turkey, and Syria.
• It was home to the ancient civilizations of Sumer, Assyria, and Babylonia.
• It was one of the first places where humans started practicing settled agriculture, and the earliest known writing system, cuneiform, originated there as well. 
• For some three thousand years, Mesopotamia remained the preeminent force in the Near East. 
• Decline: 
  • In 539 BC, however, Cyrus the Great captured Babylon and incorporated Mesopotamia into the Persian Empire. 
  • Periods of Greek and Parthian rule followed, and by about AD 100 Mesopotamian culture had effectively come to an end.

Mesopotamia FAQs

Q1. Is Mesopotamia the world's first civilization?

Ans. Yes, Mesopotamian civilization is the world's oldest recorded civilization.

Q2. Which two rivers are associated with Mesopotamia?

Ans. Tigris and Euphrates

Q3. Which modern countries include parts of ancient Mesopotamia?

Ans. Iraq, Kuwait, Turkey, Syria

Source: STD