R E L I G I O N

From the images given, such as the ritual vessles and the inscibed oxscapula we know that there is an existant of priests. Conduct a research to learn more about the religion that the people of the Shang Civilisation practices. Blog your answers supported by pictorial or written sources as your evidence.

The Shang worshipped the "Shang Ti."It is also known as "Lord Of High" , emperor. This god ruled as a supreme god over lesser gods, the sun, the moon, the wind, the rain, and other natural forces and places.Shang-Ti also regulated human affairs as well as ruling over the material universe. Highly ritualized, ancestor worship became a part of the Shang religion. Sacrifice to the gods and the ancestors was also a major part of the Shang religion. When a king died, hundreds of slaves and prisoners were often sacrificed and buried with him. People were also sacrificed in lower numbers when important events, such as the founding of a palace or temple, occurred.

The Shang king had considerable power over his subjects. Public works were built that required many people. The capital at Zhengzhou, for example, had a wall of stamped earth around it that was four miles long and up to 27 feet high in areas. Stamped earth walls were made by pounding thin layers of earth within a movable wooden frame. The earth then becomes as hard as cement. But, lesser were sacrificed when found in temple or in the palace.

COPYRIGHT: http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/china/ancient_china/shang.html

What Happened C.1150 BCE?

Discuss and write down why, how and what happened to have caused an end to the SHANG DYNASTY. Present your findings on your blog. Support your conclusion with evidence (primary or secondary source).

The last Shang king was killed c. 1150 BCE. The dynasty that ruled next was the next Western Zhou dynasty( 1027-771BCE). The Zhou kings had a similar culture to the Shang kings. Thus, the change in dynasty did not result in the end of Shang Civilisation. Around 771 BCE, a group of people killed the Zhou king and his son had to move his capital eastward. His dynasty was known as the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. (771-221 BCE)
However, fighthing between peoople continued and the last 232 years of the Easther Zhou dynasty was known as the Period of the Warring States. During this period, the northern part of China was broken up into several competing kingdoms. FInally, in 221 BVE, a prince managed to unite these kingdomsto form the first Chinese empire under the Qin dynasty( 221-206) BCE.

COPYRIGHT: Textbook, history.

You are the gather at least 3 more images taken by historians/ archaelogists of buildings/structures/artifacts found in the Indus Valley Civillisation. Name them and explain its' possible usage by the people in that civilisation. Present your findings in your powerpoint slides.


For bathing.












Drinking water. Source of drinking water.










Farms, for growing their crops. A big space for growing crops

All Sources came from :

www.google.com
http://www.indianetzone.com/1/indus_valley_civilization.htm
http://www.harappa.com/har/har0.html
History Textbook.

What Happened in the c.1500 BCE?

With your group members, discuss and write down why, how and what had happebed to have casued a rapud end to the Indus valley Civilisation. Present your findings on the power point slides. Support your conclusion with evidence, be it Primary or/and Secondary sources.

Decline of Indus Valley Civilization
By about 1700 BC, the Harappan culture was on the verge of decline. The causes of its decline are not certain. The physical existence of the civilization ended due to various factors.

Ecological changes led to the decline of land and agriculture, thereby enforcing the need to evacuate to other area might have been the reason for the disintegration of the Indus valley. Shifts in the monsoon pattern and changes in temperature led to the area more arid. Increase in population, excessive deforestation, decline in agriculture etc. might have created economic problems leading to the gradual decay of the culture. The marked decline in the quality of building and town planning indicates that the authorities were losing control. The changes in the river flow patterns and correspondent widespread flooding would have disrupted the agricultural base. The invasion of the Aryans is the other view that is said to be another reason which might have also led to the decline of the Indus valley.

O C C U P A T I O N



Find at least 3 more possible occupation and support your findings with images and explanation. Present your findings in the PowerPoint Slide.


The Indus Valley Civillisation could be making pots, furnitures, and many other items related to wood. They could be carpenters or blacksmiths.












Fishermen.


They could be making a living by fishing, selling fish.Fish provides a great deal of nutrition and fills people's stomachs easily. Fishing is not easy. Fishing may be a dangerous thing to do also.








Farmers



They could plough fields, Plants vegetables. This enables them to earn money and make trades with other farmers to gain better ingredients.

WRITINGS :


Has there been evidence of artifacts found which would indicate the people of the Indus Valley Civillisation had a system of communication? Support your answer with images or data collected and compiled by historians. Present your findings on the PowerPoint Slides.


Yes, there are evidence of artifacts found which would indicate the people of Indus Valley Civillisation had a system of communication. The writings of the stone could be their language during their time as they have yet to be undeciphered.







This fragment of a mold used for making large storage jars has three pre-firing graffiti signs. Such symbols when combined together may have served to indicate the name of the owner rather than just being abstract symbols. This piece dates to the end of the Early Harappa Phase (c. 2600 BC).

Recap Qns( Page 23 )

What are primary and secondary sources?
Primary sources are information provided by people who were involved in historical events or who witnessed the events. There are four main types of primary sources : Written, Oral, Pictorial and Artefacts.


Secondary sources are the records of people who did not directly participate in or witness the events they describe. These records are the result of the study and investigation of primary sources. They may take form of books, journal articles and essays, films and documantaries and cartoons.



How do historians make sure that their sources are reliable?
Historians use evidence, from both primary and secondary sources, to find out the truth about the past. How can they tell if they evidence is not biased. Historians make sure that thier evidence is reliable by using the three 3C's- Credibility, Consistency and Corroboration tests.


Why and when is it necessary for historians to revise their intepretations of past events?

New pieces of evidence are constantly being discovered and such evidence can provide new ways of looking at the past. So, they have to be updated for any new artefacts or stuffs. Hence, historians needs to revise their intepretations of past events.

1. Why do you think we need to study History?We need to study history because,we need to know about the past human events,that have shaped the way the world is today.
2. What do we learn when we study History?We learn about the things that happen very long time ago,and things that have continued or change over time.

3. (a) Helps us to understand why things are the way they are today.(b) Trains us to use our critical thinking skills to get the full picture of the past.(c) Helps us to have a negative mindset to accept everything we read or hear as the truth.(d) To investigate the past and dig out what our forefathers had done for us to be where weare.