Eridu Ziggurat Temple Economy and Early Dynastic Administration — Sumer (c.2900–2350 BCE)

1. Early Dynastic Sumer’s city-state framework emerges

   Jan 1, 2900 BCELabels: Sumerian city-state, Temple economy

   • Britannica
   • ED Period

2. Eridu remains Enki’s key cult center

   Jan 1, 2900 BCELabels: Eridu, Enki cult

   • Eridu
   • Enki

3. Temple estates structure Eridu’s economic life

   Jan 1, 2850 BCELabels: Temple estates, Eridu temple

   • Eanna
   • ED Period

4. Cuneiform administration expands beyond basic accounting

   Jan 1, 2700 BCELabels: Cuneiform administration

   • Sumer History
   • Jemdet Nasr

5. Plano-convex brick construction marks major building programs

   Jan 1, 2650 BCELabels: Plano-convex bricks, Construction

   • Met Museum
   • Eridu

6. Water management links Eridu to regional transport

   Jan 1, 2600 BCELabels: Canal transport, Water management

   • Eridu

7. Early Dynastic palace complex appears near Eridu

   Jan 1, 2550 BCELabels: Palace complex, Fortifications

   • Eridu

8. Inter-city warfare pressures temple resources and administration

   Jan 1, 2550 BCELabels: Inter-city warfare, Lagash Umma

   • Lagash Umma
   • ED Period

9. Regional kingship strengthens over temple-led governance

   Jan 1, 2500 BCELabels: Kingship, Temple landlords

   • Sumer
   • Sumer History

10. Lugalzagesi’s expansion signals late Early Dynastic consolidation

    Jan 1, 2358 BCELabels: Lugalzagesi, Political consolidation

    • Lugalzagesi
    • Britannica

11. Sargon of Akkad defeats Sumerian rivals

    Jan 1, 2334 BCELabels: Sargon of, Akkadian conquest

    • Sargon
    • Britannica

12. Akkadian rule reshapes Early Dynastic temple administration

    Jan 1, 2330 BCELabels: Akkadian rule, Temple administration

    • ED Period
    • Sargon Timeline