This History video introduces teachers to the key achievements of early river valley civilisations, including Ancient Sumer, Ancient Egypt, the Indus Valley and the Shang dynasty. It outlines where and when these civilisations emerged, highlighting the innovations that shaped them – such as writing systems, city planning, monumental architecture and governance. The video explores how rivers supported population growth and urban development, and it introduces reasons for each civilisation’s eventual decline.

This video is part of Kapow Primary’s History scheme – civilisation. It supports teachers in delivering concise and engaging historical content, providing clear summaries of each civilisation’s legacy and how their innovations connect to aspects of modern life, from writing and maths to politics and infrastructure.

History, Mixed-age, *New* Y3/4 (B): What was important to ancient Egyptians? Y3/4 (B): Lesson 1: Where and when did the first civilisations appear?