Louisiana Department of Education
Louisiana Doe: Louisiana Believes: Grade 6 Social Studies: Ancient Egypt
This sample task contains a set of primary and authentic sources about the impact of geography on the development of civilization in Ancient Egypt.
University of Chicago
University of Chicago Library: Teaching the Middle East: Geography
Learning module on the physical geography of the Middle East considers the impact of the landscape and climate on both ancient and modern societies in the region.
United Nations
Unesco: Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System
The Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System, now a World Heritage Site in Iran, was first built in the 5th century BC, and is still partly operational today. The complexity of this site is testament to the engineering genius of the...
Other
Norwegian University of Science and Technology: Lost Forever
A slideshow accompanied by a description of archaeological discoveries from the ancient Assyrian cities of Nineveh and Nimrud in Iraq, both of which were severely damaged by the Islamic State in March 2015. The slideshow includes images...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: White Temple and Ziggurat, Uruk
Uruk (modern Warka in Iraq)is where city life began more than five thousand years ago. In the center of the city, the greatest monument was the Anu Ziggurat on which the White Temple was built. View pictures and read descriptions of this...
Other
Knowledge Computing: Natural Catastrophes During Bronze Age Civilizations
Discusses a different approach to the fall of the civilizations during the Bronze Age. The author believes that there was a comet that affected the earth and wiped out those early cultures.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
The Math Forum: Ask Dr. Math: History of Numbers
Dr. Math tackles the question of man's first use of numbers by relating the work of Denise Schmandt-Bessarat and her studies of "'tokens' found all over the Middle East.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Eridu
This site from the encyclopedia Wikipedia provides an article on Eridu, an ancient Mesopotamian city in Sumer, thought by some to be older than any other city in the world.
Other
Patterns of Evidence: Hanging Gardens of Babylon Made by Biblical King?
The author of this blog entry discusses the theory that the Hanging Gardens of Babylon mentioned in the Bible and generally attributed to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon may have actually been built by King Sennacherib of Assyria at his...
New Advent
Catholic Encyclopedia: Hammurabi
This synopsis of Hammurabi?s life and accomplishments has some references to the Bible in its description of the laws in Hammurabi?s Code. The New Advent is a Catholic organization. Nonetheless, the article contains interesting...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: War and International Law: A Brief History of the Law of War
Understand the evolution of the law of war dating back to Mesopotamia in 3100 B.C. Recognize what justifies war.
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Shekel
The obverse side of the Shekel, a ancient silver coin used in Mesopotamia and Jerusalem.
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Shekel
The reverse side of the Shekel, a ancient silver coin used in Mesopotamia and Jerusalem.
National Archives (UK)
Uk National Archives: First World War Sources for History
A comprehensive site filled with historically significant documents on the UK during World War I.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Vampires: Folklore, Fantasy and Fact
The myth of the bloodsucking vampire has stalked humans from ancient Mesopotamia to 18th-century Eastern Europe, but it has differed in the terrifying details. So, how did we arrive at the popular image we know, love and fear today? And...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Uruk
Nestled between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, the world's first major city sprang up in a fertile region of land called Mesopotamia. This article discusses the kings, writing, monumental temples and palaces, specialized occupations,...
Other
Macrohistory: Hittites, Assyrians and Aramaeans
Invade and conquer was the name of the game in Ancient Mesopotamia. Follow the conquests and read about the blending of cultures in the following summary. Also included is a synopsis on the pollution and sewage problems faced by...
Tom Richey
Slideshare: 8 Features of a Civilization
Scroll a slideshow featuring characteristics of civilizations to aid in understanding the early developments like Mesopotamia or Sumer.
Curated OER
Unesco: Iran: Bisotun
Bisotun is located along the ancient trade route linking the Iranian high plateau with Mesopotamia and features remains from the prehistoric times to the Median, Achaemenid, Sassanian, and Ilkhanid periods. The principal monument of this...