Early Civilizations
Where did the first civilizations begin?
Mesopotamia
What is the writing system of ancient Egypt called?
Hieroglyphics
What river did early Chinese civilizations grow around?
Huang He / Yellow River
What did the Sumerians use to help them travel and move goods?
The wheel
What sea is west of Egypt?
Mediterranean Sea
What is one invention the Sumerians created to keep records?
Cuneiform
Who ruled ancient Egypt?
Pharaohs
What material did the Shang Dynasty use to make tools and weapons?
Bronze
What system did Egyptians use to write?
Hieroglyphics
What desert protected Egypt?
Sahara Desert
Which river was important to Mesopotamia?
Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
What natural feature helped protect Egypt from invaders?
Deserts / Nile River
Who was the great Chinese thinker who lived during the Zhou Dynasty?
Confucius
What did the Shang people write on to ask questions to gods?
Oracle bones
What are the two rivers shown in the map of Mesopotamia?
Tigris and Euphrates
Name one way early people changed from being nomads.
They started farming and living in one place.
What was the purpose of pyramids in Egypt?
They were tombs for pharaohs and showed power.
What idea helped the Zhou rulers justify their power?
Mandate of Heaven
Name two Chinese philosophies that spread to Korea and Japan.
Confucianism and Taoism
Which region do Egypt, Mesopotamia, and China belong to?
Ancient civilizations
What allowed ancient people to stay in one place and form civilizations?
Farming / Agriculture
Name one major achievement from the New Kingdom period.
Built great temples, expanded Egypt’s borders, strong pharaohs.
What are two things invented by ancient Chinese people?
Paper, silk, compass, iron tools, fireworks, etc.
What tool from the Shang period helped with farming?
Iron plow
Why were rivers important to early civilizations?
They gave water for farming, food, and transportation