Year 3 - History
The Indus Valley
The Indus Valley civilisation: What have archaeologists found out about it?
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
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.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe the location of the Indus River and what was found there in 1921.
Key Notes
- In 1921 an archaeological dig began at a place called Harappa on the banks of the River Indus.
- As the archaeologists excavated they began to find evidence of an ancient civilisation in the Indus Valley.
- The Indus is a powerful river that flows through India and Pakistan.
- Just like the Nile, the Euphrates and the Tigris, the Indus floods, making the land around it very fertile.
- About 8,000 years ago the people of the Indus Valley began to farm this land, and got better and better at it.
Vocabulary To Learn
- India: India is a country in southern Asia, surrounded on three sides by the Indian Ocean
- Pakistan: Pakistan is a country in southern Asia that shares a border with India
- valley: a valley is a flat area of land where a river flows between hills or mountains
- fertile: soil is fertile when it is very good for growing lots of healthy plants
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- That the civilisation in the Indus Valley began 8000 years ago.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
In 1921 an archaeological dig began at a place called Harappa on the banks of the River Indus. As the archaeologists excavated they began to find evidence of an ancient civilisation in the Indus Valley.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'India'
India is a country in southern Asia, surrounded on three sides by the Indian Ocean.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: That the civilisation in the Indus Valley began 8000 years ago. Correction: Archaeologists believe farming in the valley began around 8000 years ago but the evidence for the cities and civilisation dates from around 5000 years ago.
More Lessons In This Unit
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