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

The art and artefacts of the earliest civilisations

History

Mesopotamia, the land 'between two rivers'

The growth of trade, construction and writing in Mesopotamia

Other 'cradles of civilisation'

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?

something created to be beautiful, interesting or to make you feel

items made from clay that are baked hard in fire

Pottery is made from {{ }} which is baked hard by fire.

Ancient artists {{ }} or pressed patterns into pottery.

What is different about the art of ancient civilisations?

where people settle to live in one place in an organised way

Which ancient civilisation developed in Mesopotamia?

Match each ancient civilisation to the correct river or rivers.

What were features of 'cradles of civilisations'?

All ancient civilisations learned to control the flow of {{ }} water.

How did Ancient Sumerians record their writing?

The art and artefacts of the earliest civilisations

Lesson outcome