3The oldest civilizations on Earth started in ancient Mesopotamia. There, small settlements grew into large, complex cities. Some were completely forgotten until archaeologists began to dig up their foundations, but the contributions they made to the world live on today. Informative main text is supplemented with full-color photographs and engaging sidebars. A thorough timeline gives readers a clear idea of the sequence of events in ancient Mesopotamia, and a glossary of new terms gives readers a better understanding of these amazing civilizations.