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

The growth of trade, construction and writing in Mesopotamia

History

Mesopotamia, the land 'between two rivers'

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?

when people buy or sell items they need and want

to write or draw ideas, events and memories

What were some effects of successful farming?

Writing was first invented to record how much was ...

Cuneiform writing was made on {{}} tablets using a stylus.

Which of these were ancient cities in Mesopotamia?

Choose the words that describe a ziggurat.

Match the starter sentences to the word to complete each sentence.

Mesopotamia means 'the land between two ...'

Which two rivers was Mesopotamia between?

The land was fertile between the two rivers

Why was farming successful in Mesopotamia?

Successful farmers grew more {{}} than they needed.

The growth of trade, construction and writing in Mesopotamia

Lesson outcome