3 - Bronze Age Cities

This unit begins with an exploration of human society and the development of settled and organised communities from which civilisation emerged. The 'Age of Metals' and technological innovation is studied to understand human achievement in the ancient world. Students also study the physical features of the landscape which enabled ancient civilisations to flourish in Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, the Indian subcontinent and Greece. The importance of trade is linked to innovation and the exchange of ideas.

Key Concept

Systems (physical and human) - What is a system? How do systems work? How do humans interact with the physical environment? How do humans create systems?

Related Concepts

Specialisation - How did the cities organise themselves to allow specialisation to take place?

Innovation - What innovations were created throughout the Bronze Age? How were the innovations created?

Civilization - Why did humans become more settled in the Bronze Age?

Global Context

Orientation in Time and Space - How have cities developed through the Bronze Age and how does this vary across different locations?

Statement of Inquiry

Civilizations (human systems) develop through innovation and specialisation in response to natural systems.

Inquiry Questions

Factual Questions: Remembering facts and topics

    • Where are the key Bonze Age cities located?
    • How were the people in the cities governed and who governed them?
    • What was the system of law and order like?
    • What role did bronze play in innovation in ancient cities?
    • What role did bronze play in farming and in the civilisation of ancient cities?
    • What was the Neolithic Agricultural Revolution?
    • Why was this an important discovery during the Age of Metals?
    • What is bronze?
    • What were the Bronze Age cities like?

Conceptual Questions: Analysing big ideas


  • How can natural systems (such as rivers) impact communication and resource availability?
  • How do we know about the innovations?
  • How did specialisation of roles help to develop social and economic systems?

Debatable Questions: Evaluating perspectives and developing theories.

  • How successful were the different civilization?
  • Does civilization require specialisation of roles?
  • Can the definition of civilisation studied cover all the world cultures and civilisations?

Unit Outline and ATL Sheet

2017-18 Bronze Age Cities... Societies MYP Unit Grid
2017-18 Bronze Age Cities...roaches to Learning Grid