Similarities between the earliest civilisations
I can describe some of the similarities between the early civilisations’ religions and writing systems.
Similarities between the earliest civilisations
I can describe some of the similarities between the early civilisations’ religions and writing systems.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Despite having different gods and goddesses, all of these ancient civilisations built special religious buildings.
- Many of them, like the Shang, the Egyptians and the Indus people, offered sacrifices to their gods.
- All of these civilisations produced writing about trade, religion, laws and rulers.
- Archaeologists and historians have managed to understand this writing, apart from that of the Indus Valley civilisation.
Keywords
Decipher - to first understand a different language or code you must decipher it
Sacrifice - to give up something valuable for a reason is a sacrifice
Common misconception
Ancient writing was only for stories about rulers and gods.
Discuss the four different uses of ancient writing: trade, laws, religion and rulers. Discuss how these are similar to modern use, like laws needed for an ancient civilisation to develop, and think about the kinds of laws they would have needed.
To help you plan your year 3 history lesson on: Similarities between the earliest civilisations, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 3 history lesson on: Similarities between the earliest civilisations, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 history lessons from the Sumer and other early civilisations: what made them similar? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
stone or other hard materials
clay
metals like gold and silver
Exit quiz
6 Questions
Sumer
Ancient Egypt