Study Guides

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 some of the things archaeologists have learnt about the Shang Dynasty from looking at their jade artefacts.

Key Notes

• Archaeologists have used the Shang Dynasty's jade artefacts to try to understand their lives.
• Jade is too hard to be carved and instead must be worn away, taking great skill and patience.
• The large number of ornamental jade weapons found suggests how important warfare was to the Shang Dynasty.
• The Shang Dynasty made many real and imaginary animal figurines out of jade, including the mythical taotie.
• Mingqi are jade figures of servants, which were buried in the tombs of the wealthy to serve them in the afterlife.

Vocabulary To Learn

• ornamental: something that is ornamental is used for decoration
• taotie: the taotie is a mythical animal-like creature that is often used as decoration on items
• mingqi: mingqi are jade figures of servants, which were buried in the tombs of the wealthy to serve them in the afterlife

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Some might assume that jade is always green in colour.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Bronze dings Study Guide
• Oracle bones and writing Study Guide
• The discovery of Fu Hao's tomb Study Guide
• What archaeologists have found out about the Shang Study Guide
• Who were the Shang? Study Guide