Year 3 - History
Bronze dings
The Shang: What have archaeologists found out about them?
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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 what archaeologists have found out about the Shang Dynasty from looking at their bronze dings.
Key Notes
- One reason why we know so much about the Shang Dynasty is because of their use of bronze.
- Bronze dings were highly important to the Shang Dynasty.
- The large size of many dings has led archaeologists to believe they were used to offer sacrifices to gods and ancestors.
- If the ancestors of a family were pleased, life for that family would be prosperous.
- Dings required complicated moulds to produce. Wealthy Shang Dynasty used them to demonstrate their status.
Vocabulary To Learn
- ding: a ding is an object that can hold food, used for ceremonies or for display
- sacrifice: a sacrifice is something given to a god or an ancestor as an act of worship
- ancestor: an ancestor is a person who was in someone's family in past times
- status: a person's rank or importance compared to others is their status
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may think that sacrifices were only offered to gods.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
One reason why we know so much about the Shang Dynasty is because of their use of bronze. Bronze dings were highly important to the Shang Dynasty.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'ding'
a ding is an object that can hold food, used for ceremonies or for display.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: Pupils may think that sacrifices were only offered to gods. Correction: The belief that the ancestors held power over the living family was very strong in the Shang Dynasty. The people wanted to remember them, keep them happy and asked for blessings for their actions in life.
More Lessons In This Unit
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