Knowledge organiser - Indus Valley - Year 4

For Year 4 students studying the Indus Valley civilisation, a knowledge organiser is used to encapsulate the essential information and vocabulary they need to understand this ancient society. Prior to delving into the Indus Valley, students should be familiar with the significance of this civilisation and its advanced nature in comparison to other contemporary societies. The vocabulary section introduces terms such as 'ingot', a cast piece of metal ready for further processing, and 'Harappa', an archaeological site in Pakistan that was a central city of the Indus Valley. 'Terracotta' refers to a type of ceramic made from porous, clay-based material, while 'querns' are stone tools used for grinding materials by hand.

The knowledge organiser also highlights 'citadel', the fortified centre of a town or city, and 'bandits', who are robbers operating in isolated or lawless areas. Key knowledge points include understanding the advanced nature of the Indus Valley civilisation and its timeline in relation to events in Britain. It's important for students to comprehend the role of archaeologists in uncovering the past, not only in the Indus Valley but also in Ancient Egypt, Ancient Sumer, and the Shang Dynasty. They will learn about the geographical location of the Indus Valley and explore the civilisation's urban planning and city construction that took place between 5000 to 3000 years ago. This historical context is crucial for Year 4 students as they embark on their main learning journey about the civilisations of the Indus Valley.