The Sumerian civilization emerged around 4500 BCE in the southern part of Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq. It is known for being one of the world's first urban societies, developing advanced city-states like Ur and Uruk. The Sumerians made significant contributions to writing, creating the cuneiform script, which allowed them to record information and communicate effectively. Sumerians excelled in various fields, including agriculture, mathematics, and astronomy. They built impressive structures, such as ziggurats, which served as temples. Their polytheistic religion involved numerous gods, and they developed a complex social structure that included priests, merchants, and farmers, laying the groundwork for future civilizations.