🤯 Did You Know (click to read)
Textile production was one of the largest industries in Sumerian temple economies.
Excavations in Mesopotamia have uncovered administrative tablets referencing temple-managed herds associated with cities such as Kesh. These records list precise livestock numbers, births, losses, and transfers. Herds supplied wool, meat, and dairy to urban populations. Animal management required seasonal planning and designated pasture zones. Temple officials monitored herd productivity to ensure steady resource flow. Surplus wool supported textile industries central to Sumerian trade. Written documentation reduced uncertainty in asset control. Economic resilience depended on livestock oversight. Agriculture extended beyond crops into regulated pastoralism.
💥 Impact (click to read)
Livestock accounting strengthened institutional stability. Predictable wool output supported textile exports. Standardized herd tracking minimized theft and mismanagement. Temple economies diversified revenue streams beyond grain. Administrative oversight enhanced regional trade reliability. Asset documentation enabled long-term planning. Economic governance penetrated rural landscapes.
For herders, appearing in official records formalized their responsibilities. Seasonal migrations aligned with institutional schedules. Animal births and deaths translated into ledger entries. The irony is that pastoral rhythms were embedded within bureaucratic systems. Even grazing became documented infrastructure.
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