Module 3: Early Civilizations in South and East Asia

Like the ancient Middle East, civilizations in South and East Asia first developed near great river systems. The Harappan civilization of the Indus River valley developed in the middle of the third millennium B.C.E.—approximately at the same time as the river civilizations of the Middle East. But Harappa was unable to survive natural catastrophes and nomadic incursions and disintegrated as a civilization between 1500 and 1200 B.C.E. In East Asia, however, the Shang civilization served as the foundation of a new and unified civilization—the Zhou dynasty—that endured for millennia.

In this unit, we will examine the emergence and decline of these important early civilizations in Asia.

Time Advisory

This unit will take you 8 hours to complete.

Section 3.1 The Indus River Valley: 2.5 hours
Section 3.2 Early Chinese Civilization: 5 hours
Section 3.3 Module 3 Quiz: 0.5 hours

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to:

Describe the relationship between geographical features and developments of early civilizations in South and East Asia.
Assess the political, social, and cultural legacies of the Harappan civilization.
Describe the social and religious structures of Aryan society.
Trace the characteristics, development, and fall of the Shang and Zhou dynasties in early China.

Section 3.1 The Indus River Valley

Please read the entirety of the articles and sections specified in order to get a sense of both the Harappan and Aryan cultures that developed on the Indian subcontinent (PDFs).

The Indian Subcontinent, 3000-1500 B.C.

The Indian Subcontinent, 1500-1000 B.C.

Please read the entirety of “Indus Valley Civilization” to get a sense of the earliest settlements and cities of the Indus River Valley.

Indus Valley Civilization

Please read the entire webpage to get a good overview of the economy of the ancient Indus Valley civilization.

Economics of the Indus Valley Civilization

Please read the entire article to get a sense of the sophisticated Harappan culture.

The Indus Valley and the Genesis of South Asian Civilization

Please read the entirety of "Aryan Society and Religion" (PDF).

Aryan Society and Religion

Question & Answer

Section 3.2 Early Chinese Civilization

Please scroll down on the webpage to the section entitled “Early Chinese Civilization.” Read the entirety of this entry to get a good overview of the important features of early Chinese civilization.

Early Indian and Chinese Civilizations

Please “Ancient China” to get a sense of the material culture of Neolithic, Shang, and Zhou China.

Ancient China

Please read “The Ancient Dynasties” for a overview of the earliest Chinese civilizations: the Yellow River cultures, the Shang, and the Zhou.

The Ancient Dynasties: China's Prehistory

Please read the entire webpage for a good overview of Shang culture, economy, and society.

The Shang Dynasty, 1600 - 1050 BCE

Please read “Shang Society and Shang Culture” about the unique characteristics of the Shang civilization in early China.

Shang Society and Shang Culture

Please read “The Zhou Dynasty” for an overview of the history of the Zhou dynasty. Pay special attention to the reasons why this Eastern Zhou period is described as the “shaping period” of Chinese culture.

The Zhou Dynasty

Question & Answer

Section 3.3 Quiz

Please take the assigned quiz and submit for grading. This quiz pertains to Chapter 3 of the textbook World Civilizations: The Global Experience, published by Pearson Education.

Module 3 Quiz