Architecture and art
ARCHITECTURE
The Sumerians were professional architects that built tall and strong structures, and some remains of them still stand today! The structures stood for so long because they are made out of dried mud bricks. They are not made out of stone, which was a very sacred material in ancient Sumer. The most important structures were the temples, which were built on raised platforms and they were decorated with clay cones which were put in patterns inside the temple. The clay cones were usually painted in different colors and they usually had bronze on the tips. There were even murals painted on the walls! The temples were not only important, but they were very beautiful. Around 2100B.C., King Ur-Nammu of Ur built the first real ziggurat(stepped pyramid) that supported an actual temple at the top! Ziggurats are very famous Mesopotamian buildings. The largest ziggurats were pretty high and tall for their time, but they are nothing compared to modern skyscrapers. The tallest ziggurats reached up to 300 feet. Scholars don't know as much about ordinary small buildings like workshops or houses as much as they do about larger buildings, because they remain intact today.
ART
Sumerian art is mostly sculptures and 3 dimensional pieces of art. This served mainly religious purposes. These works of art were very beautifully executed and decorated with layers of precious metals and stones. The Sumerians also liked to make relief sculptures. Relief sculptures are sculptures that have carved figures on them. The Sumerians also carved relief sculptures on buildings. There was also something called seals. Seals are cylinders that have beautifully carved scenes with animals, humans and gods. The patterns on the seals were impressed on clay bands and clay tablets. Art was one of the sumerian's specialities, and they made very beautiful pieces.
ART
Sumerian art is mostly sculptures and 3 dimensional pieces of art. This served mainly religious purposes. These works of art were very beautifully executed and decorated with layers of precious metals and stones. The Sumerians also liked to make relief sculptures. Relief sculptures are sculptures that have carved figures on them. The Sumerians also carved relief sculptures on buildings. There was also something called seals. Seals are cylinders that have beautifully carved scenes with animals, humans and gods. The patterns on the seals were impressed on clay bands and clay tablets. Art was one of the sumerian's specialities, and they made very beautiful pieces.