Mesopotamian Agriculture and Soil- Part 2

This lesson is the second of two parts

Students will understand that unhealthy soil caused the downfall of the Sumerian civilization.

Students will understand the connection between soil health, plant health, and people health.

How do soil health, plant health, and peoples’ health relate?

Trays from last week

Introduction: What did we do last time we met? What does each tray represent in Sumerian agriculture? (Think – Pair – Share)

Activity 1: Hand back hypotheses and have students write down results. Discuss: were your hypotheses correct?

Background: High salt concentrations obstruct germination and impede the absorption of water and nutrients by plants. Soils in Iraq have lots of clay and low permeability, which makes matters worse. As soil is irrigated, the water table rises up to the root zone, and the salt can’t flow away. Sumerians first noticed problems with their wheat, so they began to focus more on barley production. But over time the barley yields decreased. Without enough food to support the population, people began to move out of Sumerian cities and migrate towards the North. The cities were reduced to small villages, and the vast civilizations were broken up.
Discuss: what could they have done to better manage their soil? Drainage systems!

Activity 2: Taste fresh pea shoots. Ask: could you grow these at home?

Wrap up: How does what we learned here apply to our garden?

Challenge students to try it themselves! Give students “how to grow pea shoots” hand out to take home.

Extensions: