Sumer Timeline

c. 5,400 BCE

The City of Eridu is founded.
c. 5,000 BCE

Godin Tepe settled
5,000 BCE – 1,750 BCE

Sumerian civilization in the Tigris-Euphrates valley.
c. 5,000 BCE

Sumer inhabited by Ubaid people.
c. 5,000 BCE

Evidence of burial in Sumer.
c. 5,000 BCE – 4,100 BCE

The Ubaid Period in Sumer.
c. 4,500 BCE

The Sumerians built their first temple.
c. 4,500 BCE

The City of Uruk founded.
4,100 BCE – 2,900 BCE

Uruk Period in Sumer.
c. 3,600 BCE

Invention of writing in Sumer at Uruk.
c. 3,500 BCE

First written evidence of religion in Sumerian cuneiform.
c. 3,200 BCE

First instance of written language in Sumerian.
c. 3,000 BCE

Sumer civilization in Mesopotamia use gold in jewellery manufacture.
2,900 BCE – 2,334 BCE

Early Dynastic Period in Sumer.
2,900 BCE – 2,334 BCE

The Early Dynastic Period in Sumer.
2,700 BCE

Hatti people establish trade with the city of Sumer.
c. 2,600 BCE – c. 2,000 BCE

The Royal Graves of Ur used in Sumer.
2,500 BCE

First Dynasty of Lagash under King Eannutum is first empire in Mesopotamia.
c. 2,500 BCE

Beginning of literature in Sumerian.
2,350 BCE

First code of laws by Urukagina, king of Lagash.
2,334 BCE – 2,218 BCE

The Akkadian Empire rules Sumer.
2,218 BCE – 2,047 BCE

The Gutian Period in Sumer.
c. 2,150 BCE – c. 1,400 BCE

The Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh written on clay tablets.
2,100 BCE

The Reign of Utu-Hegal at Uruk in Sumer and creation of Sumerian King List.
c. 2,055 BCE – 2,047 BCE

Utu Hegel’s reign over Sumerian and Akkadian cities.
2,047 BCE – 1,750 BCE

The Ur III Period in Sumer, known as the Sumerian Renaissance.
2,047 BCE – 2,030 BCE

Ur-Nammu‘s reign over Sumer.
2,047 BCE – 1,750 BCE

The Ur III Period in Sumer. Great Wall of Uruk still standing.
2,047 BCE – 1,750 BCE

Ur III Period in Sumer.
c. 2,038 BCE

King Shulgi of Ur builds his great wall in Sumer.
2,030 BCE

The Gutians rise again against Sumer. Ur-Nammu killed in battle.
c. 1,990 BCE

Construction of the Great Wall to keep the Amorites from Sumer.
c. 1,772 BCE

The Code of Hammurabi: One of the earliest codes of law in the world.
1,750 BCE

Elamite invasion and Amorite migration ends the Sumerian civilization.
c. 1,120 BCE

The Sumerian Enuma Elish (creation story) is written.

Visual Timeline

To navigate the timeline, click and drag it with your mouse, or click on the timeline overview on the bottom.

Legend:
Arts & Culture Cities & Buildings Civilization & Science Migration & Trade Nature & ClimatePhilosophy & Religion Rulers & Politics States & Territories War(fare) & Battles

5,500 BCE5,000 BCE4,500 BCE4,000 BCE3,500 BCE3,000 BCE2,500 BCE2,000 BCE1,500 BCE

5,400 BCE: The City of Eridu is founded.

5,000 BCE: Godin Tepe settled

5,000 BCE – 1,750 BCE: Sumerian civilization in the Tigris-Euphrates valley.

5,000 BCE: Sumer inhabited by Ubaid people.

5,000 BCE: Evidence of burial in Sumer.

5,000 BCE – 4,100 BCE: The Ubaid Period in Sumer.

4,500 BCE: The Sumerians built their first temple.

4,500 BCE: The City of Uruk founded.

4,100 BCE – 2,900 BCE: Uruk Period in Sumer.

3,600 BCE: Invention of writing in Sumer at Uruk.

3,500 BCE: First written evidence of religion in Sumerian cuneiform.

3,200 BCE: First instance of written language in Sumerian.

3,000 BCE: Sumer civilization in Mesopotamia use gold in jewellery manufacture.

2,900 BCE – 2,334 BCE: Early Dynastic Period in Sumer.

2,900 BCE – 2,334 BCE: The Early Dynastic Period in Sumer.

2,700 BCE: Hatti people establish trade with the city of Sumer.

2,600 BCE – 2,000 BCE: The Royal Graves of Ur used in Sumer.

2,500 BCE: First Dynasty of Lagash under King Eannutum is first empire in Mesopotamia.

2,500 BCE: Beginning of literature in Sumerian.

2,350 BCE: First code of laws by Urukagina, king of Lagash.

2,334 BCE – 2,218 BCE: The Akkadian Empire rules Sumer.

2,218 BCE – 2,047 BCE: The Gutian Period in Sumer.

2,150 BCE – 1,400 BCE: The Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh written on clay tablets.

2,100 BCE: The Reign of Utu-Hegal at Uruk in Sumer and creation of Sumerian King List.

2,055 BCE – 2,047 BCE: Utu Hegel’s reign over Sumerian and Akkadian cities.

2,047 BCE – 1,750 BCE: The Ur III Period in Sumer, known as the Sumerian Renaissance.

2,047 BCE – 2,030 BCE: Ur-Nammu’s reign over Sumer.

2,047 BCE – 1,750 BCE: The Ur III Period in Sumer. Great Wall of Uruk still standing.

2,047 BCE – 1,750 BCE: Ur III Period in Sumer.

2,038 BCE: King Shulgi of Ur builds his great wall in Sumer.

2,030 BCE: The Gutians rise again against Sumer. Ur-Nammu killed in battle.

1,990 BCE: Construction of the Great Wall to keep the Amorites from Sumer.

1,772 BCE: The Code of Hammurabi: One of the earliest codes of law in the world.

1,750 BCE: Elamite invasion and Amorite migration ends the Sumerian civilization.

1,120 BCE: The Sumerian Enuma Elish (creation story) is written.

Visual Timeline

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