Study Guides

Unit Summary

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.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe the similarities and differences in the art made by some early civilisations.

Key Notes

• The early civilisations that developed in the 'cradles of civilisation' all produced art and beautiful objects.
• They carved statues out of stone or formed them from clay.
• They made pottery and painted or pressed decorative patterns into them.
• When they discovered how to mix tin and copper to make bronze, this was used to make many pieces of art.
• Despite similarities in how they were made these civilisations all had their own styles of art.

Vocabulary To Learn

• art: art is something someone has created to be beautiful, interesting or to make you feel an emotion
• pottery: pottery are items like pots, cups or dishes made from clay that are baked hard in fire
• clay: clay is a type of soil that is useful for making objects
• bronze: bronze is a useful metal made by mixing copper and tin

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Art is only drawings or paintings.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Comparing the earliest civilisations Study Guide
• Mesopotamia, the land 'between two rivers' Study Guide
• Other 'cradles of civilisation' Study Guide
• Similarities between the earliest civilisations Study Guide
• The growth of trade, construction and writing in Mesopotamia Study Guide