silk is a fine, soft, shiny fibre produced by silkworms

oracle bones were pieces of ox bone or turtle shell that were used by the Shang Dynasty to try to predict the future

a diviner is someone who tries to find out things about the future

Oracle bones and writing

History

In ‘The earliest civilisations: the Indus and the Shang’ pupils were encouraged to develop their understanding of the concept of civilisation. In ‘Iron Age Britain: what have historians learnt about Iron Age Britain?’ pupils are now invited to contrast their strong understanding of early civilisations with Iron Age Britain.

In ‘Sumer and other early civilisations: what made them similar?’ pupils encountered multiple early civilisations in overview in order to strengthen the concept of civilisation and to make connections between these. In ‘The earliest civilisations: the Indus and the Shang’ they are encouraged to develop their understanding of this concept even further. 

The earliest civilisations: the Indus and the Shang 

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

The Shang Dynasty symbols are exactly the same as the modern Chinese written symbols. True or false?

The Shang Dynasty writing is the __________ known writing in East Asia.

Select the Shang Dynasty writing material that has lasted the longest.

Someone who read the cracks in oracle bones was called a...

Select **all** the colours that jade could be.

Jade is too hard to {{ }} with metal knives.

a mythical animal-like creature that is often used as decoration on items.

Select **all** the things that were made of jade during the Shang Dynasty.

People of the Shang Dynasty thought jade was the most beautiful and precious stone.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Oracle bones and writing

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.