Ancient Civilizations
Research Project and Presentation
Project Due Date: March 12
Over the next weeks you will be working with a group of 2-3 other students to
research and present information on one of the first civilizations in the world.
During this project you will need to show evidence of your ability to:
Locate information in print and electronic form.
Cite sources in the correct form.
Collaborate with others to complete project
Identify and describe basic facts (location, time period, causes of rise and fall,
contributions to world) and the 6 elements (religion, writing system, cities,
art, class divisions, government) for your civilization.
 Present a cohesive summary of your civilization to an audience.
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Step 1: Choose your group members. (Due Feb. 28)
Step 2: Choose a civilization below. (Due Feb. 28)
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Hittites
Assyrians
Persians
Babylonians(Chaldeans)
Indus Valley Civilizations
Incas
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Aztecs
Mayans
Kush
Phoenicians
Bantu Speakers
The Shang Dynasty
Step 3: Start researching (Feb. 28-March 11 in class)
You can start with Google search and Wikipedia (the resource links at the very bottom), but
don’t stop there. Use some of the recommended websites on my webpage or even your
textbook.
As you research make sure to take notes for these areas and don’t forget to cite your
sources!
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Location: Where were they located? What is the place called today? Are there any
special geographic features (rivers, ocean, mountains, etc.) Can you find a map?
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Time period: When did they emerge as a civilization? When were they at their
peak? How long were they around? When did they fall?
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What caused rise and fall: What caused this civilization to rise and fall? Did they
conquer another civilization? Were they conquered?
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Religion: What kind of religion or worship did they practice? Did they worship
many gods (polytheistic) or one god (monotheistic)? What were some of the stories
about their god(s)? Was their religion and government combined? Did they believe
in life after death?
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Writing system: What form of communication did they use? What type of writing
did they have? Was it pictographic? Can we read it today? Why did it develop? Was
it used by other civilizations as well?
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Cities: What were some of the major cities of the civilization? How many people
lived there? What did it look like?
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Art: What role did the arts have in this civilization? What were their main forms of
art? What was their architecture (buildings) like? What are some examples of their
art?
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Class division: What type of social classes did they have? How was slavery a part of
this civilization? How was their economy (ways they made money) affected by a
division of classes?
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Government: What type of rulership did they have? How were they organized?
What type of laws did they have? What were their courts like? Who were some of
their famous leaders?
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Contributions to world: What were the major contributions of this civilization to
the world at their time? Are their any lasting contributions still seen today? What
did they leave us?
Step 4: Create your presentation (Feb. 28-March 11 in class)
Choose a presentation method (iMovie, ShowMe, Keynote, etc.).
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Your presentation will need to include the following:
All 10 of the research areas must be covered. There should be a map and at least 9
other visual elements.
Everyone in the group must speak about at least one of the areas.
You will need a bibliography at the end with all of your citation information.
Do NOT read directly from your presentation. Either record your group or practice
for a live delivery.
Step 5: Deliver my presentation, listen to others, take notes.
(Starts March 12)
Step 6: A comparative essay (More directions on this to follow.)