Indus Valley Archaeology
What was life like in ancient South Asia? In this workshop, students will be introduced to life in the Indus Valley societies. We will teach students about the key aspects and features of life in this ancient civilization, and compare that to other ancient civilizations existing at the same time. In Indus Valley cities, compared to other cities, there were many more roads. Other cities in other ancient civilizations had only one road leading to the temple, and one road out from the temple. Indus Valley cities were very well planned, with roads to and from every part of the city, as we have nowadays. Is a city better if it has roads going to all parts of it? Students will be challenged to grapple with this and similar questions. They will also be introduced to each of the main city sites. For the activities, students will become archaeologists themselves, and ‘unearth’ broken pieces of pots, jewellery, and Indus Valley toys, such as the whistle in the shape of a ram pictured. They will work in groups putting pieces of their ‘finds’ together like a jigsaw. When they have pieced everything together, they will write a blog about what they have found.
A toy whistle, in the shape of a ram, from the Indus Valley civilisation
Curriculum for Excellence subjects and skills
SOC 2-01a: I can use primary and secondary sources selectively to research events in the past.
SOC 2-04a: I can compare and contrast a society in the past with my own and contribute to a discussion of the similarities and differences.
EXA 2-07a: I can respond to the work of artists and designers by discussing my thoughts and feelings. I can give and accept constructive comment on my own and others’ work.
RME 2-09b: I am developing my understanding that people have beliefs and values based upon religious or other positions.
LIT 2-22a: In both short and extended texts, I can use appropriate punctuation, vary my sentence structures and divide my work into paragraphs in a way that makes sense to my reader.
National Curriculum subjects and skills:
History: Achievements of early civilizations and study of one in depth: The Indus Valley. Understand significant aspects of the history of the wider world, the nature of ancient civilizations, understand methods of historical enquiry and how evidence is used.
Geography: Naming and locating some of the worlds’ continents and oceans, using basic geographical terms such as river, valley, sea, ocean, port, mountain, forest, city, town, village. Engaging with maps and aerial photographs.
Art: Learning about artists, architects and designers in history
Computing: Understand computing networks including the Internet, how they can provide multiple services, and the opportunities they offer for communication and collaboration, use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly.
Science: Reporting and presenting findings from enquiries, including conclusions, and explanations of and a degree of trust in results, in oral and written forms such as displays and other presentations, identifying scientific evidence that has been used to support or refute ideas or arguments.