What did Sumerians look like

The Sumerians were an ancient civilization that existed in Mesopotamia, which is present-day Iraq, from approximately 4500 to 1900 BCE. They are considered to be one of the earliest civilizations in the world and made significant contributions to the development of human society, including the invention of writing, the wheel, and the plow.

Despite their significant contributions to human civilization, very little is known about the physical appearance of the Sumerians. This is because there are no surviving Sumerian texts or images that provide a detailed description of their physical features. However, there are a few clues that can help us to piece together what the Sumerians might have looked like.

One clue comes from artwork that has been discovered in Sumerian temples and tombs. This artwork includes depictions of human figures that provide some insight into the physical features of the Sumerians. For example, Sumerian statues and reliefs show people with large, almond-shaped eyes, prominent noses, and slightly pointed chins. They also depict men with long beards and women with long hair that is often braided.

Another clue comes from written descriptions of the Sumerians by their contemporaries. For example, the ancient Greek historian Herodotus wrote about the people of Mesopotamia, including the Sumerians, in his Histories. He described them as having "dark skin and kinky hair," which suggests that they may have had African or Afro-Asiatic ancestry.

However, it's important to note that Herodotus wrote about the Sumerians many centuries after their civilization had declined, and his descriptions may have been influenced by his own biases and cultural perspectives. Additionally, the Sumerians were a diverse people who likely intermixed with other groups over time, which means that their physical appearance may have varied depending on their individual ancestry.

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Jamie Larson
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