Classical Self-Education discussion

I found it interesting that stonework and pottery were so far behind jewelry in their development in Sumerian culture. I also found it interesting that Sumeria was the origin, or at least the first known instance, of the cylindrical seal. It will be interesting to track how it gets from here to the rest of Europe.

How do I go about discussing this without simply regurgitating the information I gleaned from the book? I read it and I think, "Hmm, that's interesting," but I don't know what to say or feel about it. Sumeria was one of the first civilizations and was largely responsible for the advancement of writing, as well as the root of the epic of Gilgamesh.

To me this seems simply a step in a direction for human civilization. Writing was developed, jewelry was developed, pottery and stonework not as much. Perhaps that is all it is and there is nothing else to be learned. Humans were alive at that time and place and they made progress. I don't know.

What do you think?