The writing system cuneiform and the construction of ziggurats are characteristic of which civilization?

• A. Shang Dynasty
• B. Egypt
• C. Mesopotamia
• D. Indus Valley Civilization

Answer: (C)

These features point to Mesopotamia, the civilization that thrived in the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Cuneiform was one of the world’s first writing systems, developed by the Sumerians in southern Mesopotamia for keeping records, conducting trade, and recording stories like the Epic of Gilgamesh. Ziggurats were large, stepped temple complexes built in many Mesopotamian cities as religious centers and hubs of administration. In contrast, the Shang Dynasty in China is known for oracle bones and bronze ritual objects, Egypt for hieroglyphs and pyramid tombs, and the Indus Valley for its planned cities and an yet undeciphered script. So the combination of cuneiform writing and ziggurats best identifies Mesopotamia.