ContentsHow to use this book

Introduction

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'" i i '{ 'I i I INVESTIGATING THE ANCIENT PAST 1

Studying the Ancient World 2

CHAPTER 1 Investigating the ancient past 5The work of historians 10The work of archaeologists 12Sources and evidence 14Searching for sources 22Searching for archaeological sites 24Excavating a site 27How old is it? 30An archaeological mystery: the leeman 33The nature of the sources for Ancient Australia 38Conserving the past 43Historychallenges 48

CHAPTER 2 An overview of the Ancient World 49How and when did humans populate the Earth? 52How did small settlements grow into thriving towns? 59How did civilisations emerge? 62Which religions and philosophies emerged in the Ancient World? 69Historychallenges 72

,,: I THE MEDITERRANEAN WORLD 73

The Mediterranean World 74CHAPTER 3 Ancient EgyP!:, 79

What were the physical features of Ancient Egypt? 82A farmer's diary 84What were the key social groups in Ancient Egypt? 88What was everyday life Iike in Ancient Egypt? 90What were the beliefs, values and practices of the Ancient Egyptians? 97What contacts and conflicts did the Ancient Egyptians have within

Egypt and with other societies? 103Who were the key figures in Ancient Egypt? 106What legacy did Ancient Egypt leave to modern life? 109Historychallenges 110

CHAPTER 4 Ancient Greece 111What were the physical features of Ancient Greece? 114What were the key social groups in Ancient Greece? 116What was everyday life like in Ancient Greece? 121What were the beliefs, values and practices of the Ancient Greeks? 127What contacts and conflicts did the Ancient Greeks have within

Greece and with other societies? 134Who were the key figures in Ancient Greece? 137What legacy did Ancient Greece leave to modern life? 138Historychallenges 140

CHAPTER 5 Ancient Rome 141What were the physical features of Ancient Rome? 144What were the key social groups in Ancient Rome? 149What was everyday life Iike in Ancient Rome? 152What were the beliefs, values and practices of the Ancient Romans? 159What contacts and conflicts did the Ancient Romans have within

Rome and with other societies? 163Who were the key figures in Ancient Rome? 167What legacy did Ancient Rome leave to modern life? 168Historychallenges 170

The Asian World 172

CHAPTER 6 Ancient China 177What were the physical features of Ancient China? 180What were the beliefs, values and practices of the Ancient Chinese? 187What were the key social groups in Ancient China? 193Who was a key figure in Ancient China? 197What was everyday life like in Ancient China? 199What contacts and conflicts did the Ancient Chinese have withinChina and with other societies? 202What legacy did Ancient China leave to modern life? 205Historychallenges 206

CHAPTER 7 Ancient India 207What were the physical features of Ancient India? 210What were the beliefs, values and practices of the Ancient Indians? 213What were the key social groups in Ancient India? 218Who were the key figures in Ancient India? 221What was everyday life like in Ancient India? 226What contacts and conflicts did the Ancient Indians have within

India and with other societies? 230What legacy did Ancient India leave to modern life? 235Historychallenges 236

G/ossary 237

Index 241

Acknowledgements 249