This domain will introduce students to the development of early civilizations by examining the fundamental features of civilizations, including the advent of farming, establishment of cities and government, and creation of other practices, such as writing and religion. Starting in the ancient Middle East, students will study Mesopotamia. They will learn about the importance of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, the development of cuneiform as the earliest-known form of writing, the first codification of laws known as the Code of Hammurabi, and the significance of gods and goddesses in the “cradle of civilization.”
Students will then explore ancient Egypt and be able to compare and contrast Mesopotamia and Egypt. They will learn about the importance of the Nile River; the use of hieroglyphs; the rise of pharaohs, including Tutankhamun and Hatshepsut; the building of the Sphinx and pyramids; and the significance of mummification and the afterlife for ancient Egyptians.
Lesson 1
banks- The land that slopes down on the sides of a river
canals- Ditches dug into the land to move water from one place to another; may also be used for transportation
flow- To move continually
reservoir- A natural or man-made area where water is stored for future use
trade- To exchange goods
Lesson 2
cuneiform- The system of writing in Mesopotamia using wedge-shaped symbols
records- Written information
scribes- People whose job is to write things down
symbols- Pictures or shapes used to stand for something else
tablets- Flat slabs of stone, clay, wood, or paper used especially for writing
Lesson 3
gods/goddesses- Powerful unseen rulers, both male and female, that people living in ancient times believed controlled what happened in the world
priests- Religious leaders
religion- The belief in and worship of a superhuman, controlling power, such as a personal God or gods
temples- Buildings created for worship and practicing religious beliefs
ziggurat- A tall pyramid-shaped structure with a temple at the top
Lesson 4
caravan- A traveling group
chariots- Two-wheeled or four-wheeled horse-drawn vehicles used in ancient times
merchant- Someone who buys and sells goods
platforms- Flat, raised structures used to keep things off the ground
Lesson 5
advantage- A skill or thing that increases one's chances of success
Egyptians- People from or living in Egypt
enriched- Added to our made richer
flooding- Water covering an area that is usually dry
Lesson 6
accurately- Without errors or mistakes
hieroglyphs- Pictures that represent sounds, letters, or words
Lesson 7
blossom- The flower on a plant or tree
depicted- Represented in words or a picture
lotus- An aquatic plant with pink flowers
Lesson 8
afterlife- A life believed to begin after death
architect- Someone who designs buildings
journey- A trip
pyramid- A structure with triangular sides
treasure- Something valuable or precious like gold or jewels
Lesson 9
base- The lowest or bottom part of something
Sphinx- An imaginary creature with the body of a lion and head of a human
tugged- Pulled hard on something
visible- Able to be seen
Lesson 10
accomplishments- Successes or achievements, things done well
counselors- People who give advice
declare- To say or make known to everyone
pharaohs- King or rulers of ancient Egypt
tradition- A special belief or way of doing something that hasn't changed over the years
Lesson 11
archaeologist- A scientist who studies the way people live in the past
authority- Power to make or enforce rules or laws
passage- A space along which something or someone may pass
tombs- Places for the burial of the dead
valuable- Precious or worth a lot of money
Lesson 12
priceless- Worth more than any amount of money
sarcophagus- A stone coffin
triumph- A great success
Lesson 13
Christianity- The religion of the Christians; one of the three major world religions
faithful- Loyal; dependable
shrine- A sacred or holy place of worship
Islam- The religion of the Muslims; one of the three major world religions
Judaism- The religion of the Jewish people; one of the three major world religions
Lesson 14
Hebrew- Relating to the tribe of people from whom the Jewish people are descended or a language spoken in Israel
Jewish- Belonging to or related to the practice of Judaism
prophet- A leader in a religion who teaches other people
rabbi- A Jewish religious leader, often serving a synagogue
synagogue- A Jewish place of worship
Lesson 15
Christian- Someone whose religion is based on the teachings of Jesus
church- A public house of worship for the Christian faith
eternal- Lasting forever; never-ending
Messiah- A savior, predicted by ancient Hebrews, and believed by Christians to be Jesus
miracle- An often unexpected and always extraordinary, nearly unbelievable event, usually thought to be brought about by God
Lesson 16
fast- To refrain from eating for a certain period of time, often for religious reasons
mosque- A house of worship for Muslims
Muslim- One who practices the religion of Islam
prayer- Spoken or silent conversations with God
similarities- Things in common with one another