Two items which show that the Mesopotamian civilization was complex are:
The Code of Hammurabi (A)
Cuneiform (D)
To determine which two items indicate that Mesopotamian civilization was complex, let's examine each option and its contribution to the complexity of the civilization:
1. The Code of Hammurabi (A):
- The Code of Hammurabi is one of the oldest deciphered writings of significant length in the world.
- It is a well-preserved Babylonian code of law of ancient Mesopotamia, dating back to about 1754 BC.
- The code consists of 282 laws, with scaled punishments, adjusting "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" (lex talionis) as graded depending on social status, of slave versus free, man or woman.
- The existence of this code shows an advanced state of legislative complexity and social structure, indicating a sophisticated legal system and administration.
2. Irrigation canals (B):
- Irrigation canals were used to transport water from rivers to fields.
- The construction and maintenance of canals required organized labor and knowledge of engineering and hydrology.
- This level of agricultural infrastructure suggests the ability to support a larger population through increased food production and indicates a degree of social organization.
3. Agricultural tools (C):
- While agricultural tools are indicative of farming practices and the advancement of technology for agriculture, they are not necessarily a sign of a complex civilization on their own.
- Many civilizations, including those that are not considered complex, made and used agricultural tools.
4. Cuneiform (D):
- Cuneiform script is one of the earliest systems of writing, invented by the Sumerians of ancient Mesopotamia.
- It represents a complex system of writing that could convey abstract concepts, legal principles, literature, and administrative details.
- The development and use of cuneiform indicate the presence of an educated class and sophisticated record-keeping.
5. Use of farm animals (E):
- The domestication and use of farm animals for agriculture and other purposes is an important step in the development of human societies.
- However, like agricultural tools, this practice is common to many civilizations, including non-complex societies.
Based on te above considerations, the two items that most strongly indicate the complexity of Mesopotamian civilization are:
A. The Code of Hammurabi (A) - Reflects a complex legal and administrative system.
D. Cuneiform (D) - Represents advanced communication, record-keeping, and educational systems.
These two elements, a sophisticated legal code and a developed system of writing, are strong indicators of a complex society with structured governance, social stratification, and intellectual achievements.