World History
Early Civilizations Project
In class, we defined the typical features common to civilizations. Choosing either
ancient Egypt or ancient Mesopotamia, you will design a product that demonstrates
your understanding of each of these features within this civilization.
Components:
 Central government:
o Describe the nature of this civilization’s government: Was there one leader or
many? What title did the leader(s) have?
o Research one leader: what degree of power did he/she hold? For what
achievements is he/she known?
 Organized religion: Who were the chief gods and goddesses in this civilization?
What were the primary beliefs? Describe their belief in the afterlife and how they
prepared for death (e.g. mummification).
 Art and architecture:
o Choose one significant example of art in this society: describe its subject
matter, style, purpose; include a picture of this artwork.
o Choose one significant example of architecture from this civilization: How was
it constructed? What was its purpose? Include any interesting facts. Include a
picture of this monument.
 Public works: Did this civilization create roads, bridges or temples? Describe one of
these public works projects and how it benefited or impacted this society.
 Cities: Describe either how the urban center was laid out or the primary functions of
the urban area.
 Writing system: What type of writing did this society have (pictographs,
hieroglyphics, etc.)? On what material did they write? Include an example of
writing from this civilization and an explanation of what it means.
 Social classes/job specialization:
o Describe the social classes in this society, or make a social pyramid showing
this. What job(s) did most people do in this society? Were there slaves? If so,
what jobs did they do?
o Describe female roles in this society: what was it like to be a woman?
Product: children’s storybook or another product approved by Mrs. Bloom.
You may work with one partner on this project.
Include a works cited. See links on Mrs. Bloom’s website for potential sources. You
may use Wikipedia, but include the specific link/search in your works cited.