Curated OER
Ancient River Valley Civilizations
Ziggurats, cuneiform writing, the Tower of Babel, hieroglyphics, pyramids, the Great Wall. Launch a unit on ancient cultures, with a presentation that introduces viewers to ancient Mesopotamia, Babylonia, Sumer, Egypt, Indus, and China....
Curated OER
Western Civilizations, Chapter 2: Gods and Empires in the Ancient Near East
Ancient Hebrew history comes to life through this online western civilizations tool, which follows history in detail from ancient origins to modern-day. Chapter two covers ancient eastern cultures, including beginnings of Hebrew...
Curated OER
Mesopotamia
Students map Mesopotamia. In this Geography lesson, students are introduced to Ancient Mesopotamia. Students use an atlas to label the defining features and areas of Mesopotamia on a map.
Curated OER
Civilization in Ancient Mesopotamia
In this ancient Mesopotamia worksheet, students respond to 29 short answer and fill in the blank questions about the ancient civilization.
Curated OER
The Ancient Middle East
Math and history collide in this presentation, which displays ancient Babylonian numbers and math amidst a discussion about the earliest empires of the known world. Images of maps, ancient relics, and migration patterns establish the...
Curated OER
Ancient Mesopotamia
In this geography instructional activity, high schoolers read about ancient Mesopotamia and respond to five short answer questions that follow. They identify what part of the country was the heart of Mesopotamia. Then students compare...
Curated OER
Ancient Mesopotamia
Students locate ancient Mesopotamia on a map. They examine the religion, government and the development of writing. They write and draw pictographs and cuneiform writing. They create a class book based on their investigations.
Curated OER
Life in Old Babylonia: The Importance of Trade
Students read maps and artifacts for information indicating the existence of a trade network in Old Babylonia and beyond. They list goods imported to and exported from Babylonia. They indicate trading centers on a map of ancient...
Curated OER
Taking the Mystery Out of Mesopotamia
Students locate Mesopotamia on the map and explain the importance of its location. In this Mesopotamia lesson, students understand why the new discoveries of Mesopotamia were so important to civilization. Students participate in...
Curated OER
Touring Ancient Egypt
Students study the geography and resources available to the ancient Egyptians and create a multimedia tour that demonstrates this learning to others.
Curated OER
Life in Old Babylonia: The Importance of Trade
Students examine the trade network in Old Babylonia. They analyze maps, explore various websites, develop a list of goods imported to and exported from Babylonia, and write an essay.
Curated OER
Ancient Civilizations: Mesopotamia
Learners read about the ancient civilization of Mesopotamia. They investigate the art, culture, and history, and read an overview about the gods and goddesses.
NIOS Download
The Harappan Civilization
The Harappan Civilization, also known as the Indus Valley civilization (2600 BC-1900 BC), is the focus of a resource packet that details the rise and fall of a culture that existed in India during the Chalcolithic period of history.
Curated OER
Elements of Civilization
Students create their own ancient civilizations based off of topographical maps of Egypt, Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and the Yellow River. In this social studies lesson, students are assigned one topographical map to use to create...
Curated OER
Mesopotamian Tablet, Egyptian Art
First graders examine cuneiform writing from a stone tablet, then write a simple sentence using pictographs. They analyze various examples of Egyptian art, construct a model of an Egyptian boat, and create a class painting using glyphs...
Curated OER
The Achievements of the Sumerian Empire
Sixth graders identify four achievements of the Sumerians. They explain the importance of the inventions. They write about a Sumerian invention.
Curated OER
Seventh Grade Social Studies Test
In this Georgia social studies assessment activity, 7th graders respond to thirty multiple choice questions based on seventh grade social studies skills.
Smart History
Smarthistory: Ancient Near East: Cradle of Civilization
Smarthistory overview of the ancient Near East, deemed the Cradle of Civilization, providing details, maps and illustrations depicting the geography and complex history of the area of what is now modern day Iraq. With links to additional...
University of Chicago
University of Chicago: Map of Ancient Mesopotamia
This site from the University of Chicago provides a black and white map of Ancient Mesopotamia. The map focuses primarily upon terrain with an emphasis on the rivers and the major cities.
United Nations
Unesco: Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System
The Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System, now a World Heritage Site in Iran, was first built in the 5th century BC, and is still partly operational today. The complexity of this site is testament to the engineering genius of the...
World History Encyclopedia
World History Encyclopedia: Akkad
Encyclopedia entry illustrated with map and photos provides overview of the acient Mesopotamian city, Akkad.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Art History: Map of Mesopotamia
A short introduction to the ancient Near East, followed by sections providing an in-depth coverage. Includes links to additional information.
Oswego City School District
Regents Exam Prep Center: Early Peoples
Regents prep site giving the history of the Paleolithic Period and Early River Civilizations. Includes pictures and map.