Year 3 - History
Who were the Shang?
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 some of the features of the Shang and where they lived.
Key Notes
- The Shang Dynasty began c.1600 BCE in the Yellow River Valley, later than the other major ancient civilisations.
- Like in Mesopotamia and Egypt, the Shang exploited the fertile land they lived in for extensive agriculture.
- Like in Mesopotamia and Egypt, the Shang built major cities including Anyang and Zhengzhou.
- Much like the Ancient Egyptians, bronze weaponry helped the Shang to build and maintain an empire.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Yellow River: the Yellow River is a large river that flows from central to eastern China
- empire: an empire is a group of nations or peoples under one ruler
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may think that all these ancient civilisations existed at separate times.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
The Shang Dynasty began c.1600 BCE in the Yellow River Valley, later than the other major ancient civilisations. Like in Mesopotamia and Egypt, the Shang exploited the fertile land they lived in for extensive agriculture.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'Yellow River'
the Yellow River is a large river that flows from central to eastern China.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: Pupils may think that all these ancient civilisations existed at separate times. Correction: Although beginning thousands of years apart, by the time of the Shang Dynasty, the Ancient Sumerian, Ancient Egyptian and Indus Valley civilisations were still going!
More Lessons In This Unit
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