Introduction to early civilisation units

What do all the Ancient Civilisations have in common?

This enquiry provides an overview of the Ancient Civilisations of Egypt, Sumer, Indus Valley and Shang, showing where and when they developed, the similarities between them and how they relate to a broadly based chronological understanding of the past. It provides a context for studying one of them in depth.

Key vocabulary: civilisation, dynasty, location, river valley, irrigation, achievements.

• This unit is supported by the article So was everyone an Ancient Egyptian? Developing an understanding of the world in Ancient Times - Paul Bracey (2016), Primary History Issue 73.
• See also our separate schemes of work on Ancient Egypt, Ancient Sumer, Indus Valley and Shang Dynasty.

Please note that this scheme of work contains resource suggestions, however it is not a fully-resourced scheme of work. To view a sample scheme of work, please refer to our Anglo-Saxons unit