S.T.A.I.R.
Ancient Chinese scribes used oracle bones to write early characters for religious and political purposes. This would be an example of which part of S.T.A.I.R.?
Record Keeping
This river is called the “Mother River of China” and is known for its yellow-colored silt.
Yellow River (Huang He)
The Shang Dynasty, which lasted from 1700 to 1027 B.C., was the first to do what?
leave written records
These brought heavy rains to the Indus Valley, which helped crops grow but also caused dangerous flooding.
Monsoons
These were used by Shang priests to predict the future and are one of the earliest forms of Chinese writing.
Oracle Bones
Ancient Chinese civilizations using bronze to make weapons and tools is an example of which element of S.T.A.I.R.?
Technology
The Indus Valley Civilization developed along this river in what is now Pakistan and northwest India.
Indus River
The Shang practiced this type of government, where power was passed down through family lines.
Dynasty
This is the spiritual release from human form (aka "enlightenment").
Moksha
These durable building materials were used in Indus Valley cities like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, showing advanced construction techniques.
Oven-Baked Bricks
The Indus Valley city of Mohenjo Daro had grid-like streets and advanced water/drainage systems. These qualities of Mohenjo Daro would fall under this category of S.T.A.I.R.
Advanced Cities
This river that flows through central China is south of the Huang He River and is the longest river in Asia.
Yangtze River
During the Xia Dynasty, what did the leader create to control the Huang He (Yellow River)?
flood-control and irrigation projects
This mountain range was a natural boundary that shielded the Indus and Ganges Valleys from invaders to the north.
Himalayas
Shang artisans were known for crafting ceremonial objects and weapons from this metal.
Bronze
In the Indus Valley, artisans were skilled workers that made products such as pottery, jewelry, and tools. Artisans would be part of which element of S.T.A.I.R.?
Specialized Workers
This river to the east of the Indus River is considered sacred in Hinduism and is used for religious rituals and ceremonies.
Ganges River
Who led society in Ancient China?
Emperors and warrior-nobles
What religion determined someone's place in the caste system?
Hinduism
This small, carved item from the Indus Valley may have been used for trade or identification, often featuring animals and symbols.
Seal/Harappan Seal
Ancient China had a government system called a dynasty. Which element of S.T.A.I.R. would this fall under?
Institutions
The Yellow River gets its name from this type of fine, yellowish soil that it carries downstream.
Loess/silt
How many symbols would you need to know to be literate in Ancient China?
1,500!
Name two things that distinguished the cities of the Indus River Valley from other societies of the same time period.
1. The cities were planned in a grid system
2. They had plumbing and sewage systems
3. They used oven-baked bricks
4. Citadel
Archaeologists discovered remains of large wooden buildings in this Shang Dynasty capital, showing early Chinese skill in construction and city planning.
Anyang