Human Heritage: A World History

Chapter 5: Eastern River Valleys

Web Activity Lesson Plans

“A Seal of Approval”

Introduction
Students have read about the Indus River valley civilization and the ruins of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa. In this exercise, students will view the seals excavated from these sites and read what the experts say about their composition and use.

Lesson Description
Students will use information from the Harappa Web site to learn about the discovery of seals at the ruins of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa. Students will browse the Web site to read about the meaning of the symbols on the seals, how the seals were made, where they were discovered, and how researchers dated the seals. Students will also be able to see pictures of the ancient seals. Students will then answer four questions and apply this information by designing their own seals that describe their personalities.

Instruction Objectives

1. Students will be able to identify the characteristics and significance of the ancient seals found in the Indus River valley ruins.
2. Students will be able to use this knowledge to describe themselves, using pictures or symbols, in the design of seals.

Student Web Activity Answers

1. Seals were used for trade. They may have sealed and tagged bundles of goods with the owner's name. They could have also denoted power or authority within the civilization. The seals could have communicated a person's trade or business. Some experts believe they were used as amulets.
2. Carvings include what experts believe are words, but the symbols have not yet been translated. Also depicted are animals, people, and symbols. The unicorn probably appears most often, as it was found on 388 seals in the 1927-1931 excavations of Mohenjo-daro.
3. The "boss" was a section on the back of the seal with a small hole through which a cord passed. The seal could then be worn around the neck.
4. Many Indus seals have been found in ancient Mesopotamian cities.
5. Students' seals will vary.