Final answer:
Wheels were first used in Mesopotamia around 4000 BCE for wheeled carts drawn by oxen. By 3000 BCE, the four-wheeled chariot was used in warfare and further refined to a more efficient two-wheeled version by 2000 BCE. This crucial innovation contributed to the advancement of Mesopotamian society and its renown as the cradle of civilization.
Step-by-step explanation:
Origin of the Wheel in Mesopotamia
The wheel, one of the most significant inventions in human history, is believed to have originated in Mesopotamia. Innovations in wheeled transportation played a critical role in the development of Mesopotamian civilization. The earliest evidence of wheeled vehicles in Mesopotamia dates back to around 4000 BCE, with the use of wheeled carts drawn by oxen. However, it was not until approximately 3000 BCE that four-wheeled chariots became a formidable element in warfare.
By 2000 BCE, technological advancements led to the development of the lighter, two-wheeled, horse-drawn chariot. These chariots were more efficient and agile, and proved to be far superior for military endeavors. Neo-Assyrian warriors were known to form squads with these chariots, enhancing their combat capabilities significantly.
The wheel's evolution continued and by around 1350 BCE, in the time of Tutankhamen, spoked wheels were developed, which allowed the chariots to be faster and more suitable for war. The Mesopotamians were not only pioneers in transportation but also made ground-breaking achievements in other disciplines like agriculture, engineering, astronomy, and mathematics. This multifaceted progress catalyzed the rise of Mesopotamia as the cradle of civilization.