According to Archibald Sayce, the primitive pictograms of the early Sumerian (i.e. Uruk) era suggest that "Stone was scarce, but was already cut into blocks and seals. Brick was the ordinary building material, and with it cities, forts, temples and houses were constructed. The city was provided with towers and stood on an artificial platform; the house also had a tower-like appearance. It was provided with a door which turned on a hinge, and could be opened with a sort of key; the city gate was on a larger scale, and seems to have been double. The foundation stones — or rather bricks — of a house were consecrated by certain objects that were deposited under them." COUNT 5
QSN1 What does Archibald Sayce think early Sumerian pictograms suggest about the availability of stone? ANS1 was scarce QSN2 How did the Sumerians fashion the stone they cut? ANS2 into blocks and seals QSN3 What was the ordinary building material of Sumerians? ANS3 Brick QSN4 What were the foundation stones of Sumerian houses consecrated by? ANS4 objects that were deposited under them QSN5 What kind of appearance did Sumerian houses have? ANS5 tower-like