The ancient world
Mesopotamia (now Iraq)
- “Fertile crescent”
- Birthplace of civilization
- Settled agriculture
- From at least 10,000 BC
- First written language ~3,000 BC
Well-developed mathematics & Astronomy
- Weights and measures standardized in Babylon in 2500 BC
- Measured positions of planets & Stars
Great civilization until it was conquered by Alexander the Great around 330 BC.