Archaeology and the Indus
I can describe some of the archaeological finds uncovered at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.
Archaeology and the Indus
I can describe some of the archaeological finds uncovered at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Following Harappa's discovery in 1921, another major site was excavated in 1922 at Mohenjo-Daro.
- They uncovered huge numbers of clay seals, covered in writing and images, along with many pieces of broken pottery.
- They also discovered large stone circles on which they think the Indus people threshed their crops.
- They also found whistles and figures of dancing women as well as clay toys and figurines.
- From these discoveries archaeologists have worked out that the Indus Valley Civilisation was very large and complex.
Keywords
Harappa - Harappa was the first Indus Valley civilisation site to be excavated
Mohenjo-Daro - Mohenjo-Daro was the second Indus Valley civilisation site to be excavated
Indus Valley civilisation - the people who lived in the Indus Valley in ancient times are known as the Indus Valley civilisation
Threshing - the act of separating the parts of a crop that can be eaten from the parts that can't is called threshing
Seal - a seal is a decorated object that is pushed into a soft material like wet clay or wax in order to leave an imprint of its design
Common misconception
Archaeologists and historians always know exactly what discovered items were used for in the past.
Archaeologists and historians have to make guesses about what the discovered items were used for in the past, using their knowledge and other objects to help them.
To help you plan your year 3 history lesson on: Archaeology and the Indus, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 3 history lesson on: Archaeology and the Indus, 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.
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Explore more key stage 2 history lessons from the The Indus Valley civilisation: What have archaeologists found out about it? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
crop threshing
protection from flood water
to show who items belonged to when they were sold