Un modèle culturel sumerien : l’élevage

Livestock is presented as a fundamental element in the rural economy which was that of Mesopotamia, around 2000 B.C. These are very practical and vital activities that are known under two different aspects. The first is pastoralism: under this name, one can designate a lifestyle involving the edge of the desert nomadism, transhumance herds with the seasons. The second is compatible with the settlement and agriculture in great relationship. The Sumerians, as in other ancient civilizations have tended to attribute to supernatural powers (gods, often) the creation of the world, that of humans, animals and plants and, in particular, the invention of various techniques: writing, weaving, metalworking, pottery, as seen in Enki and the world organization. Livestock and dairy products are mentioned by a few symbols: churn, rod and pipe of the shepherd. The original text of the chapter is in French. Keywords: ancient civilizations; dairy products; livestock; Mesopotamia; rural economy; Sumerians