Sumerian art included metalwork, sculptures and paintings. Most art was made to be used in religious ceremonies. "The Standard of Ur," which is made of wood with shell and semi-precious stone inlaid on top, is a historical artifact uncovered showing the handiwork of the artists. The standard is a valuable piece of history depicting life in the city-state of Ur, an ancient Sumerian city.
Music was a valuable part of life in the Sumerian culture, which was enjoyed as part of religious ceremonies or as entertainment. Musicians played the lyre, a small harp-like instrument, drums and pipes, according to History Alive the Ancient World. They took pride in their ornately decorated musical instruments. Singing and writing songs to present to the gods also brought the Sumerians' pleasure.
Because of their success as farmers, the Sumerians were able to abandon the nomadic life that their predecessors lived. Providing enough food for all of the families in the city-state to settle in this region called "The Fertile Crescent" was achievable. The area located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers had water available for irrigation of their crops. The soil and land was agreeable for farming. These two factors made the agricultural economy strong. Farmers were able to raise enough food to support their families and trade for other goods and services. They invented the plow and improved irrigation methods to help them raise their grain, fruit and vegetable crops.
The Sumerians devised a system of canals to not only water their crops, but to help them get their products to the market place. They constructed sea-worthy ships to import and export goods on the two rivers surrounding the city-states of Sumeria. The main exports were grain, oil and textiles. Flax was grown in Sumeria, which was then made into linen. Linen is the cloth that priests wear. In return the Sumerians imported timber, wine, precious metals and stone, according to Ancient Mesopotamians.
The Sumerians did not use coins to trade. They bartered, or exchanged one good or service for another good or service.