We believe Sumerian civilization first took form in southern Mesopotamia around 4000 BCE—or 6000 years ago—which would make it the first urban civilization in the region.

When was Mesopotamia settled?

Mesopotamian Civilization

Humans first settled in Mesopotamia in the Paleolithic era. By 14,000 B.C., people in the region lived in small settlements with circular houses.

How did the Sumerians settle in Mesopotamia?

When snow melted in the mountains, there were yearly floods. The floods deposited silt, which made the land very fertile. The Sumerians were the first people to settle in this region. Many cities developed along these rivers.