A Primitive Sumerian Settlement (litho)

A Primitive Sumerian Settlement. The earliest inhabitants to leave any traces of their presence in Southern Babylonia were the Sumerians, a race who brought with them from Central Asia a knowledge of metal and the art of picture-writing. On their first settlement in the Euphrates valley they made themselves huts of reeds which they cut in the marshes. Later they practised brickmaking, and lived in villages around the rude temples of their local gods. Illustration for Hutchinson's History of the Nations (Hutchinson, c.1920). Note: Image has been digitally enhanced to facilitate repro.