The Four Ancient River Valley Cultures
SS.6.G.2.1
Circa 8,000 B.C.E., farming began in Southwest Asia. About 6,000 B.C.E.,
farming began in the Nile Valley and along the Huang He River. By 3,000
B.C.E., the Indus River valley was settled and the four great river valley
cultures—Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, and India—had emerged.
The birthplaces of these ancient civilizations share key
characteristics. First, they arose around steady water sources.
Second, these rivers provided the land around them with fertile
topsoil on which to grow crops. A reliable food supply led to population
growth and the world’s first cities, job specialization, unique forms of art,
rich and complex religious practices, new technology, and powerful
rulers. Conflict often resulted over control of the water in these regions.
Directions: 1. Color the oceans, seas, bays and rivers on the map blue.
2. Use the map to answer the questions below.
1. Which lines of longitude and
latitude best describe the
absolute location of the source
of the Euphrates River?
2. What body of water is at the
mouth of the Tigris River?
3. What body of water is at the
mouth of the Nile River?
4. Which body of water
provided Mesopotamia the
most direct route to Egypt?
5. Seals from the Indus Valley
have been found in
Mesopotamia. Which bodies of
water would be used for trade
between these civilizations?
6. What natural land formation
made a journey from the Indus
Valley to China difficult?
7. Do you think that people in
ancient Mesopotamia traded
with people in ancient China?
Explain why or why not.
8. What natural resourses
influences people to settle in
the river valleys where these
ancient civilizations developed?
9. Which civilization grew up
along the Nile River?
10. Which culture grew up
between the Tigris River and
the Euphrates River?
Maps: Ancient Civilizations©2005 Creative Teaching Press
The birthplaces of these ancient civilizations share key
characteristics. First, they arose around steady water sources.
Second, these rivers provided the land around them with fertile
topsoil on which to grow crops. A reliable food supply led to population
growth and the world’s first cities, job specialization, unique forms of art,
rich and complex religious practices, new technology, and powerful
rulers. Conflict often resulted over control of the water in these regions.
The birthplaces of these ancient civilizations share key characteristics.
First, they arose around steady water sources. Second, these rivers
provided the land around them with fertile topsoil on which to grow
crops. A reliable food supply led to population growth and the world’s
first cities, job specialization, unique forms of art, rich and complex
religious practices, new technology, and powerful rulers. Conflict often
resulted over control of the water in these regions.
Directions: 1. Color the oceans, seas, bays and rivers on the map blue.
2. Use the map to answer the questions below.
Directions: 1. Color the oceans, seas, bays and rivers on the map blue.
2. Use the map to answer the questions below.
1. Which lines of longitude and
latitude best describe the
absolute location of the source
of the Euphrates River?
2. What body of water is at the
mouth of the Tigris River?
3. What body of water is at the
mouth of the Nile River?
4. Which body of water
provided Mesopotamia the
most direct route to Egypt?
5. Seals from the Indus Valley
have been found in
Mesopotamia. Which bodies of
water would be used for trade
between these civilizations?
6. What natural land formation
made a journey from the Indus
Valley to China difficult?
7. Do you think that people in
ancient Mesopotamia traded
with people in ancient China?
Explain why or why not.
8. What natural resourses
influences people to settle in
the river valleys where these
ancient civilizations developed?
9. Which civilization grew up
along the Nile River?
10. Which culture grew up
between the Tigris River and
the Euphrates River?
1. Which lines of longitude and
latitude best describe the
absolute location of the source
of the Euphrates River?
2. What body of water is at the
mouth of the Tigris River?
3. What body of water is at the
mouth of the Nile River?
4. Which body of water
provided Mesopotamia the
most direct route to Egypt?
5. Seals from the Indus Valley
have been found in
Mesopotamia. Which bodies of
water would be used for trade
between these civilizations?
6. What natural land formation
made a journey from the Indus
Valley to China difficult?
7. Do you think that people in
ancient Mesopotamia traded
with people in ancient China?
Explain why or why not.
8. What natural resourses
influences people to settle in
the river valleys where these
ancient civilizations developed?
9. Which civilization grew up
along the Nile River?
10. Which culture grew up
between the Tigris River and
the Euphrates River?