Final answer:
The Sumerian civilization was located in southern Mesopotamia, corresponding to modern-day southern Iraq. Famous for their technological advances and inventions such as the writing system, the Sumerians set the foundation for subsequent Mesopotamian empires.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Sumerian civilization was an ancient culture that developed in the historical region of southern Mesopotamia. This area corresponds to modern-day southern Iraq. Known for its ingenuity, the Sumerians made significant contributions to human civilization, including the invention of a sophisticated writing system. The Sumerians first settled in this region around 4500 to 4000 BCE, establishing some of the earliest cities such as Uruk, which, by the end of the fourth millennium BCE, had a population possibly as high as fifty thousand people.
Sumer's city-states played a fundamental role in the development of agriculture, trade, and industry, creating advancements that included weaving, leatherwork, metalwork, masonry, and pottery. These technological advances facilitated urbanization and the growth of city-states. Moreover, the Sumerian civilization is known for its famous rulers, such as Gilgamesh of Uruk, and its stunning artifacts, like the treasures found in the Royal Tombs at Ur.
Over time, the region witnessed the amalgamation of the Sumerian culture with that of the Akkadians, leading to the establishment of the first lasting Mesopotamian empire under King Sargon. The legacy of the Sumerians endured through the later Babylonian and Assyrian civilizations, which further adapted and expanded upon the cultural and technological groundwork laid by the Sumerians.