Topic: Ancient Civilizations of South Asia

LFQ : How did people build ancient civilizations?

 KEY POINTS
• Civilization is an advanced and organized human society with cities, a system of government,
complex cultural development, and technological progress.
• Harappa and Mohenjo Daro are two of the major cities of the ancient Indus valley civilization,
which is one of the earliest known civilizations in human history.
• The Harappan civilization, also known as the Indus valley civilization, was one of the world's
earliest urban cultures, flourishing around 2600 BCE to 1700 BCE in what is now modern-day
Pakistan and northwest India.
• These civilizations feature well-planned streets, advanced drainage systems, and impressive
architecture.
 ACTIVITY 1: Refer the textbook Pg. 119 & answer the
following

a. Why do you think the first settlements were on river plains and deltas?

b. Would these settlements be possible if there were no rivers? Why?

ACTIVITY 1: Refer the textbook Pg. 119 & answer the
following - Answers
a. Why do you think the first settlements were on river plains and deltas?
Rivers were attractive locations for the first civilizations because they provided a steady supply of
drinking water and made the land fertile for growing crops. Additional benefits include fishing, fertile
soil due to annual flooding, and ease of transportation.

b. Would these settlements be possible if there were no rivers? Why?

No, because the first civilizations formed on the banks of rivers. Water is the basic necessity for all
humans to carry on their day to day activities.
ACTIVITY 2: Compare and contrast the images of two separate early
Harappan cities – Textbook Pg. 120 - 121

a. Compare the remains of the two

cities. What do the buildings appear
to be made of brick or stone?
What does the rectangular layout of
buildings in the photo suggest?

b. What does the use of brick

masonry suggest about the
durability of the buildings?
 ACTIVITY 2: Use the text and images to compare & contrast two
early Harappan cities. (Answers)

a) Compare the remains of the two cities. What do the buildings appear to be made of brick or stone?
What does the rectangular layout of buildings in the photo on the left suggest?
The buildings appear to be made of brick. The rectangular layout of buildings suggest, a regular plan of
laying out the city and its buildings.

b) What does the use of brick masonry suggest about the durability of the buildings?
Baked bricks are either sun baked or oven baked allowed for compacted and more sturdy bricks with
remarkable endurance over time.
LEARNING MENU: 10 MINUTES
LEARNING Applying(B/C)
STYLE
Spatial Bias Sketch a typical house in
ancient Harappa.
Verbal Bias Write a short paragraph
(100 words) describing
daily life in ancient
Harappa.
Added Challenge: Imagine you are an
archaeologist discovering a new Harappan
artifact. What steps would you take to
analyze and interpret its significance?
Analyzing (A) Evaluating (A*)
Create a flowchart Research on the following &
Indus Civilizations are noted for prepare a poster:
their elaborate drainage systems & UAE has a very old civilization.
water supply systems. Stone tools discovered in Jabal
What are few techniques that could Faya in Sharjah proves Stone age
be implemented in UAE? people lived in the Arabian
Peninsula.
Write an article: Research on the following &
Indus Civilizations are noted for prepare a report:
their elaborate drainage systems & UAE has a very old civilization.
water supply systems. Stone tools discovered in Jabal
What are few techniques that could Faya in Sharjah proves Stone age
be implemented in UAE? people lived in the Arabian
Peninsula.
LEARNING MENU: 10 MINUTES
LEARNING Applying(B/C) Analyzing (A) Evaluating (A*)
STYLE

Verbal Bias • Ancient Harappan daily life thrived • Desalination Student answer
in well-planned cities with organized • Rainwater Harvesting
streets, advanced drainage systems, • Treated Wastewater Reuse
and multi-story brick homes. • Smart Irrigation
• The people engaged in vibrant trade, • Water-Efficient Technologies
exchanging goods like pottery and • Educational Programs
textiles. • Legislation and Policies
• Agriculture, supported by the Indus
River, played a crucial role in their
daily existence.
• Artifacts, seals, and pottery
showcased the richness of Harappan
culture, with intricate designs and
possible religious significance in
small terracotta figurines.