Bronze dings
I can describe what archaeologists have found out about the Shang Dynasty from looking at their bronze dings.
Bronze dings
I can describe what archaeologists have found out about the Shang Dynasty from looking at their bronze dings.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- One reason why we know so much about the Shang Dynasty is because of their use of bronze.
- Bronze dings were highly important to the Shang Dynasty.
- The large size of many dings has led archaeologists to believe they were used to offer sacrifices to gods and ancestors.
- If the ancestors of a family were pleased, life for that family would be prosperous.
- Dings required complicated moulds to produce. Wealthy Shang Dynasty used them to demonstrate their status.
Keywords
Ding - a ding is an object that can hold food, used for ceremonies or for display
Sacrifice - a sacrifice is something given to a god or an ancestor as an act of worship
Ancestor - an ancestor is a person who was in someone's family in past times
Status - a person's rank or importance compared to others is their status
Common misconception
Pupils may think that sacrifices were only offered to gods.
The belief that the ancestors held power over the living family was very strong in the Shang Dynasty. The people wanted to remember them, keep them happy and asked for blessings for their actions in life.
To help you plan your year 3 history lesson on: Bronze dings, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 3 history lesson on: Bronze dings, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
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Explore more key stage 2 history lessons from the The Shang: What have archaeologists found out about them? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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