Unearthing Ancient Treasures: Exploring Natural Resources in Different Civilizations

Unearthing Ancient Treasures: Exploring Natural Resources in Different Civilizations

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to identify and compare the natural resources utilized by various ancient civilizations.

Introduce the learning objective to the students and explain what they will be able to do by the end of the lesson.

What do you already know about the natural resources used by ancient civilizations?

Medieval England

Forests provided timber for construction, hunting grounds, and firewood. Rivers were used for transportation and water supply.

Discuss the natural resources found in medieval England and their uses. Encourage students to think about the importance of forests and rivers in this civilization.

Ancient Rome

Marble and stone were used for buildings, while iron and bronze were essential for weapons and tools. Olive oil and wine were significant agricultural products.

Explore the natural resources utilized by Ancient Rome and how they contributed to their architecture, military, and economy.

North American First Nations

Native American tribes relied on buffalo for food, shelter, and clothing. They also utilized natural materials like wood, clay, and animal hides for various purposes.

Explain the natural resources that were central to the survival and culture of North American First Nations. Discuss their sustainable practices and close connection to the environment.

Mayan Civilization

The Mayans made use of limestone for construction, obsidian for tools, and had an extensive agricultural system growing maize, beans, and squash.

Introduce the natural resources used by the Mayan civilization and highlight their achievements in architecture, toolmaking, and agriculture.

Ancient China

China had access to vast amounts of silk, tea, and porcelain. They also relied on the fertile soil of the Yellow River for agriculture.

Discuss the natural resources that played a significant role in ancient China's trade, culture, and agricultural practices.

Comparing Natural Resources

Compare and contrast the natural resources used by the different civilizations. Discuss similarities, differences, and their impact on each civilization's development.

Engage students in a discussion about the natural resources across civilizations. Encourage critical thinking and analysis of how resource availability shaped each civilization.

Reflect and Connect

Reflect on the importance of natural resources in ancient civilizations and connect it to the relevance of natural resources in our lives today.

Guide students to reflect on the significance of natural resources in ancient civilizations and how it relates to their own lives. Encourage them to think about sustainable resource management.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.