Agriculture in Ancient Uruk
In Agriculture in Ancient Uruk, archaeologist and historian Richard Miles explains how agricultural surplus in ancient Uruk led to diversification, specialization, and the rise of class systems. From craftsmen to rulers, the transformation laid the groundwork for the first class conflicts. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Ancient Worlds, an epic series with archaeologist and historian Richard Miles as he explores the roots of civilization from Mesopotamia to the fall of the Roman Empire.
Lesson Express
Q: How did Richard Miles learn about the class system in Uruk?
A: He examined the art on artifacts.
Q: How do we know that there was violence in Uruk?
A: There is evidence from artifacts that during the Uruk period, people were burned, prisoners were bound and gagged or blinded, and the ruler of Uruk used weapons to kill his enemies.
Q: What impact did the organization of agriculture have on society?
A: It led to the development of stratified and specialized societies which organized tasks like irrigation, building, and tool-making, which contributed to urbanization.
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