They were surrounded by productive farm land and dominated by large temple complexes like this one at Ur, that were, in fact, effectively, spiritualized, central food distribution centers. Because it was the temples that organized the harvest, gathered in the grain, offered it to the gods, and then offered the grain that the gods didn't eat back to the people.
Erau înconjurate de pământuri agricole fertile şi dominate de complexe mari de temple ca cel din Ur, care erau, de fapt, centre spiritualizate și eficiente de distribuție a hranei pentru că templele erau cele care organizau recolta culegeau grânele, ofereau ofrande zeilor şi apoi ofereau cerealele rămase înapoi oamenilor.