Farming in Ancient Mesopotamia

Farming in Mesopotamia
At the ruins of the city of Nippur in Mesopotamia, archaeologists found ancient clay tablets that tell about farming long ago. The tablets explain how farmers raised such crops as barley, wheat, and a wheat-like grain called emmer. Each spring farmers harvested their crops. After harvesting they threshed, or separated, the grain from the husk, or outer shell, of the plant. Threshing continued throughout the summer.

Besides the main crops planted in fields, farmers grew vegetables such as onions and cucumbers in gardens. Their orchards produced fruits such as figs and apples.
Fields not suited for crops were used for grazing animals. On these fields shepherds herded goats, sheep, and cattle. These domesticated animals provided meat, milk products, and wool. Eventually the early people of Mesopotamia also used horses, camels, donkeys, and other animals to help them in their work.

What important crops were grown in ancient Mesopotamia?

Posted in: Ancient Mesopotamia