Uruk period
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The Uruk period is a protohistoric sequence in the history of Mesopotamia which stretches from 5500 to 3100 BC. Named after the city of Uruk, this period saw the emergence of urban life in Mesopotamia. It was followed by the Sumerian civilization. The late Uruk period (34th to 32nd centuries) sees the gradual emergence of the cuneiform script.
This period took place directly after the 'Ubaid period, roughly from 5300 BC to the beginning of the Uruk period. These early city-states had strong signs of government organization (though social stratification was not strongly evident until very late in this period and the beginning of the Early Dynastic Period, beginning around 3100 BC), evident even in items such as cheap, mass-produced beveled rim bowls which were made to be discarded. These bowls were handed out at community outings, such as large-scale constructions. These cities grew to cover up to 250 acres and up to 10-20,000 people by the end of the period.
de:Uruk-Zeit fr:Période d'Uruk nl:Urukperiode pl:Okres Uruk sh:Uručki period sv:Uruk (kultur)
