a civilisation is when humans live together in large groups in a highly organised way

Sumer was an ancient civilisation that existed 5000 years ago in the Middle East

meaning 'between two rivers', Mesopotamia is the name given to the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers

something that is reliable can be trusted and is high in quality

surplus means extra or more than is needed

Mesopotamia, the land 'between two rivers'

History

The growth of trade, construction and writing in Mesopotamia

Other 'cradles of civilisation'

The art and artefacts of the earliest civilisations

Similarities between the earliest civilisations

Comparing the earliest civilisations

In ‘Sumer and other early civilisations: what made them similar?’ pupils encounter multiple early civilisations in overview in order to strengthen the concept of civilisation and to make connections between these. In ‘The earliest civilisations: the Indus and the Shang’ they are encouraged to develop their understanding of this concept even further. 

 In ’Ancient Egypt: what stayed the same across 3,000 years?’ pupils were introduced to their first Bronze Age civilisation in order to gain familiarity with this concept. In ‘Sumer and other early civilisations: what made them similar?’ pupils now encounter multiple early civilisations in overview in order to strengthen this concept and make connections.

This unit analyses the similarities and differences between early civilisations. Pupils learn about Mesopotamia as a 'cradle of civilisation' and compare it to other civilisations, such as the Shang and the Indus Valley civilisations.

Sumer and other early civilisations: what made them similar?

people trade by buying or selling items they need or want

people write or draw to record ideas, events and memories

a type of ancient writing invented in Sumer was called cuneiform

a ziggurat is a large religious building made from stone during Mesopotamian civilisations

nomadic people do not settle to live in one place but move from place to place

a cradle is a small bed or cot that helps keep babies safe and warm when they sleep

a similarity is when something is like something else, but is not exactly the same

art is something someone has created to be beautiful, interesting or to make you feel an emotion

pottery are items like pots, cups or dishes made from clay that are baked hard in fire

clay is a type of soil that is useful for making objects

bronze is a useful metal made by mixing copper and tin

to first understand a different language or code you must decipher it

to give up something valuable for a reason is a sacrifice

something that is permanent stays the same

the special way something is made or designed to look is its style

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Sumer and other early civilisations: what made them similar?

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