Introduction to ancient history. Sources of history
Lessons 1–2 · 2 lessons · A. Sagdullayev, V. Kostetskiy. Tarix. Qadimgi dunyo (History: The Ancient World), Grade 6. Yangiyo‘l Poligraf Servis, Tashkent, 2017 (revised and expanded 5th edition)
1
Introduction
Textbook: pp. 5–7
GoalUnderstand which period ancient history covers and what a civilization and the helper sciences (archaeology, epigraphy, numismatics) are.
New words
civilization · sivilizatsiyaarchaeology · arxeologiyaepigraphy (study of inscriptions) · epigrafikanumismatics (study of coins) · numizmatika
Explanation
Ancient history covers events from the appearance of humans until 476 CE, when the Western Roman Empire fell. Scholars call the time when cities, writing and states appeared and developed the early civilization. The first civilizations arose in the Ancient East and then on the island of Crete in Greece; centres of ancient civilization also existed on the territory of Uzbekistan. Ancient history is studied from archaeological finds and written sources. Ancient inscriptions are studied by epigraphy, and coins by numismatics. This year you will meet the history of Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, China, Greece, Rome and Central Asia.
Worked examples
The Egyptian pyramids, Babylon, Mohenjo-daro and Persepolis are famous monuments of ancient civilizations.
A potsherd with ancient writing is studied by epigraphy; an ancient coin is studied by numismatics.
Class activity
“History corner”: the teacher shows a coin, a potsherd and a picture of an inscription; children say which science studies each.
Practice
1
Until what year does ancient history last?
Until 476 CE, the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
2
Name three main features of a civilization.
Cities, writing and a state.
3
Which science studies coins, and which studies ancient inscriptions?
Coins: numismatics; inscriptions: epigraphy.
4
Why are things made by ancient people still important today?
They tell us about the past, and we still use inventions such as the wheel, writing and pottery.