Ancient Civilizations: Indus Valley, Vedic Age, and Shang China

Vocabulary practice flashcards reviewing key terms, geography, dates, religions, writing systems, and social structures of the Indus River Valley, the Vedic Age, and Shang China.

Indus River Valley Geography

A geographic region protected to the north by the massive Himalayan mountains, characterized by unpredictable river flooding, strong winds, and monsoons.

Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro

Major cities of the Indus River Valley featuring a well-planned grid pattern, standard-size bricks placed by hand, and extensive plumbing systems.

Indus Valley Disappearance

The end of Indus Valley society around 1900 BC, theorized to be caused by natural disasters (tsunami/earthquake) or a possible invasion by Aryans.

Aryans

Indo-European people who migrated into India through the Khyber Pass around 1750 BC, beginning the Vedic Age based on the Vedas.

Khyber Pass

The mountain pass through which the Indo-European Aryan people migrated into India around 1750 BC.

The Vedas

The oldest scriptures of Hinduism, written in Sanskrit beginning about 1500 BC, including poems, prayers, goddesses, and Hindu gods.

Huang He

Also known as the Yellow River, the river along which ancient Chinese civilization grew, named for the yellow color imparted by loess.

Loess

Fine soil carried in the Huang He (Yellow River) that gives the river its distinct yellow color.

Shang China

An ancient Chinese dynasty lasting from about 1650 to 1046 BCE, in which emperors ruled a small area while loyal family clans held the rest.

Shang Di

The supreme deity in Shang China's religion who would not respond directly to mere mortals.

Yin

In ancient Chinese philosophy, one of two forces symbolizing balance, associated with earth, darkness, female, cool, and wet.

Yang

In ancient Chinese philosophy, one of two forces symbolizing balance, associated with heaven, light, male, warm, and dry.

Oracle Bones

Artifacts containing the oldest examples of Chinese writing, featuring over 10,000 pictograph and ideograph characters that later developed into calligraphy.

Brahmins

The highest class in the Aryan social hierarchy, consisting of priests.

Kshatriyas

The warrior class in the Aryan social hierarchy.

Vaisyas

The class in Aryan society consisting of herders, farmers, artisans, and merchants.

Sudras

The lowest class in Aryan society, consisting of non-Aryans, laborers, and servants.