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Why Teach the Indus Valley Civilisation ?

An opportunity to include one (important and intriguing) aspect of the history of South Asia in the UK curriculum. Perhaps future changes will allow far more.

A history and archaeology topic for all children which lends itself to active enquiry, where cross curricular approaches enhance history learning. No narrative of the "lost cities" of the Indus survives. The available evidence - non-perishable remains of archaeology, (unlike that of other great civilisations) provides a superb learning opportunity. Unique features of cities built so long ago have much to tell about the way people lived. Children must scrutinise photos of the evidence, artefacts or site remains and city plans, and make their own deductions, learning to distinguish facts from opinion. They can develop historical skills, and be challenged to think about the evidence as archaeologists have to do. The history of changing interpretations, of for example, the decline of the civilisation also provide a rich source of learning.

Children aged 9 - 11 years of all abilities can get much from this topic; their thinking
is more sophisticated, whilst innate curiosity is not yet inhibited by the pressures of adolescence !           About us 1