Job Specialization
The development of specific jobs in ancient Mesopotamia led to an increase in trade and economic success. It allowed for people to hone their time and energy onto one particular job and not have to know how to do all the different talents needed in a civilization. Job specialization also produced a hierarchy in the society, as certain jobs were much more important and crucial than others. This led to some people having more authority and power over others, eventually forming a social class in Mesopotamia.
Farming
Farmers were very important in the society as an overall source of food. They tended to the crops and the weight of feeding everybody fell upon their shoulders. Irrigation was a crucial need for the farmers, as it led to faster crop growth and production. The problem with irrigation is that it eventually wore out the soil, making it barren. When this happened, the farmer would have to travel to new land.
Astronomers
The astronomers of Mesopotamia were a special group of scribes who observed the movements of the stars and planets. Mesopotamians were the first to name and identify many stars and planets. Some believed that each planet was an individual god. They were also the first to document and predict lunar/solar eclipses. The astronomers advised kings of good or bad omens that they saw in the skies. These predictions would often affect decisions the rulers made, as they did not want to upset the gods. The tablet to the left has a letter written to the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal reporting a lunar eclipse.
Pottery
The most popular job in Mesopotamia was pottery. Clay was dug up from the nearby rivers, and shaped by hand into thin, lightweight pots. They were used to transport/hold/contain food or water. Clay was favored more over stone because it was not has heavy to carry around. Soon, molds were made to make the production of each pot much faster, instead of having to make them each by hand. Later, the pottery wheel was invented. Pottery was an important source of income as it was traded with different kingdoms, and sold within the city markets.