The Earliest Known Literary Work

The Sumerians in Mesopotamia built the first known civilization. Their city of Ur was built on the delta of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The Sumerians created a city of art, craft and commerce based on a thriving agricultural economy.

They also invented writing, impressing wedge shaped symbols on tablets of clay. The first known literary work was printed in this way. It is the epic story of a Sumerian King, Gilgamesh. The version that exists today was written on 12 clay tablets around the 27th Century BC. The story tells of Gilgamesh searching for immortality after the death of his friend, Enkidu.

These ancient things are our heritage as creators, artists and writers.