A Trip to Mesopotamia

Lesson Summary

Students will study Hammurabi’s Code of Law, which is the first set of written law in Ancient Mesopotamia. The Code of Law is written in cuneiform and presented in the center of town. Students discuss the reasons for creating such laws. After exploring and studying Hammurabi and his Code of Law- students will learn how to write cuneiform- the ancient language used to write this law on a stella displayed in the center of town. Using the ancient techniques of writing cuneiform, the students will copy one law in a rolled clay tablet, using a reed. Each tablet will be fired so the law is etched permanently in the clay. Students will discuss the functionality of artwork as both beautiful (visual expression on the stella) and purposeful.

Arts Benchmark

Creative Expression and Communication

B. Create two- and three- dimensional original artwork that demonstrates personal visual expression and communication.
Indicator: Explore ways that art making functions as a means of personal identification and expression.

Academic Benchmark

Government

A. Explain why people institute governments, how they influence governments, and how governments interact with each other.
Indicator: Explain reasons for the creation of governments such as: a. protecting lives, liberty and property; b. providing services that individuals cannot provide for themselves.

Dr. Matney, associate professor of archaeology and a Miller South parent, teaches cuneiform "old school" style.

Our room is transformed into scribe school!

Students practice their lessons in wet clay.
First lesson, copy a code from Hammurabi's Code of Law.

Perfect penmanship!

Fired Clay Tablets

Dr. Matney brought ancient Mesopotamia to life by sharing his archaeological finds with classroom students.

Ancient Artifacts: Can you guess the purpose?

A real cuneiform tablet!