About the same time as the Egyptians were establishing themselves as a centre of civilization, another great culture arose in Mesopotamia (not far from Egypt) called Sumaria.

About 3500 years ago, about the same time as the early Egyptian Civilization was a group of peoples called the Sumarians.

Before this time history does not record any large significant civilizations and now, arising approximately at the same time in relatively close proximity was these two major civilizations, both surviving for thousands of years

In a time in which nomadic tribal groups were common, these two cultures were structured around the recognition and worship of gods and unseen forces and a main focus of the labors of the society was offered to the gods in one form or another.