Introduction
Today you will be exploring the various artifacts that were used in ancient Mesopotamia, the Indus river valley, and the Shang river valley. Understanding how these people created cities is only one part to how these civilizations developed. Having limited resources, these ancient people used what they had to create a unique culture. You will be exploring this culture by examining the artifacts that have been found at the sites and dated back to these civilizations. Really think about how these artifacts were used back when people had very little knowledge about technology.
Task
You will soon see a series of links that you will have to go and explore. These links will bring you to pages of artifacts that have been uncovered from Mesopotamia, the Indus river valley, and the Shang river valley where you will choose three artifacts from the provided lists. You have a graphic organizer in front of you to follow along as you complete the steps associated with this webquest. You will have to
1. Identify the artifact
2. Write a brief description of the artifact. What does it do? Why was it created?
3. Write you opinion on the artifact. Why do you think it was created? Do you think this tool was essential to the development of this civilization?
4. Does this artifact model anything that we have in society today? What could it be used for today?
5. Draw a picture of the artifact. This can be your own representation of the artifact.
Once you are done filling in the graphic organizer, you will be choosing your favorite artifact from all of the ones you researched and you will be creating an advertisement for this item. You will be trying to sell this item to another one of the civilizations. For example, if you pick the sickle sword from ancient Mesopotamia, then your task will be to sell this item to either the Indus or Shang civilizations.
Most importantly, Have fun with this, it is not meant to trick or confuse you but I want you to put your investigative skills to the test to uncover how the culture of these civilizations developed.
Process
Introduction:
The following link will take you to a google page. Click on the first video titled "Cultural Artifact: Definition and example." I am warning you, the video will cut off about halfway through, but it is supposed to do that! Answer the following questions on your graphic organizer.
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UT…
1. What is a cultural artifact?
2. Why are cultural artifacts important to the understanding of society?
Step 1: Mesopotamia
The following link will take you to a list of artifacts from ancient Mesopotamia. Pick three artifacts of your choosing. Answer the questions listed under the 'task' and that is listed on your graphic organizer:
http://www.schenectady.k12.ny.us/users/title3/Future%20Grant%20Projects…
Step 2: Indus River Valley Civilization
The following link will take you to a list of artifacts from the Indus River Valley Civilization. Pick three artifacts of your choosing. Answer the following questions listed under 'task' and that is listed o your graphic organizer:
http://www.schenectady.k12.ny.us/users/title3/Future%20Grant%20Projects… River Valley Civilization
Step 3: Shang River Valley Civilization
There are not many artifacts that have survived since the Shang River Valley. Why is this? Your job is going to be to find out why. Read the following article located at the following link and answer the following questions:
http://www.ushistory.org/civ/9b.asp
1. Why are there not many artifacts that have survived from the Shang River Valley Civilization?
2. Name an artifact that has survived and what does it tell us about their society?
3. Describe Shang culture based on what is known about artifacts.
Step 4: Advertisement
You will be creating and advertisement on the website "canva" for an artifact of your choosing. The link is below the questions. Pick one artifact and sell your object. Make sure to include all the essential elements that would convince a buyer to pick your product over your classmates. There is a rubric for this assignment under the evaluation tab. Be creative with this! Be sure to print your advertisement when you are done.
The login information to get onto the website will be given in class .
Be sure to include:
1. Name of the artifact
2. The civilization it belonged to
3. Common uses and why it should be bought.
4. How much you think it should be sold for.
5. A picture of the artifact (directions will be given in class on how to save and upload a picture)
Link Database:
http://www.schenectady.k12.ny.us/users/title3/Future%20Grant%20Projects…
http://www.schenectady.k12.ny.us/users/title3/Future%20Grant%20Projects… River Valley Civilization
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UT…
http://www.schenectady.k12.ny.us/users/title3/Future%20Grant%20Projects… River Valley Civilization
Evaluation
This WebQuest is out of a possible 20 points
| Task | Point Value |
|
Introduction: All of the questions are answered thoughtfully and in complete sentences. |
/2 |
|
Step 1: All of the questions are answered thoughtfully and in complete sentences. |
/3 |
|
Step 2: All of the questions are answered thoughtfully and in complete sentences. |
/3 |
|
Step 3: All of the questions are answered thoughtfully and in complete sentences. |
/3 |
|
Advertisement: The advertisement contains all of the requirements and is well thought out and creative. |
/5 |
|
Conclusion: All of the questions are answered thoughtfully and in complete sentences. |
/4 |
Conclusion
So how do Cultural Artifacts relate to my life today?
Today, societies all over the world are creating new cultural artifacts. This WebQuest for example, can be looked at as a cultural artifact. It is an object that represents our society, in this case, our educational society. Watch the video that can be found at the following link and answer the following questions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mIIly5p6-c
1. How does the Ted Talk define a cultural artifact?
2. How do individual perspectives change the legacy of cultural artifacts?
3. Why are cultural artifacts considered "places of belonging"?
4. What is your cultural artifact?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mIIly5p6-c