something that is ornamental is used for decoration

the taotie is a mythical animal-like creature that is often used as decoration on items

mingqi are jade figures of servants, which were buried in the tombs of the wealthy to serve them in the afterlife

Jade artefacts

History

The discovery of Fu Hao's tomb

Who were the Shang?

Bronze dings

Oracle bones and writing

What archaeologists have found out about the Shang

In ‘The earliest civilisations: the Indus and the Shang’ pupils were encouraged to develop their understanding of the concept of civilisation. In ‘Iron Age Britain: what have historians learnt about Iron Age Britain?’ pupils are now invited to contrast their strong understanding of early civilisations with Iron Age Britain.

In ‘Sumer and other early civilisations: what made them similar?’ pupils encountered 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. 

These units analyse the way in which archaeologists have found out about the Indus Valley Civilisation and the Shang dynasty. Whichever unit is chosen, pupils examine the archaeological record of an early civilisation and develop their knowledge of what claims are based on these remains.

The earliest civilisations: the Indus and the Shang

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

Jade was very {{ }} during the time of the Shang Dynasty.

a mythical animal that is often used as decoration

Lots of {{ }} weapons were found in tombs.

Jade Shang Dynasty weapons would have been ...

Select the things that a bronze ding was used for.

A person who was in someone's family in past times is known as ...

Bronze dings showed that someone had a high status.

The Shang Dynasty offered sacrifices to their gods or {{ }}.

Jade artefacts

Lesson outcome

Content guidance