Lessons from Our Ancestors: Uncovering Ancient World Wisdom

Gr 3-7–Are equality, peace, and sustainability strictly modern values, or can objects from ancient civilizations reveal these virtues in the lives of our ancestors? That is the question at the heart of this text. Through archaeological evidence, Dave brings to life 14 distinct civilizations spanning 40,000 years and multiple continents with a focus on what the artifacts tell us about the contributions of women and children to history; egalitarian principles at work in the daily lives and work of ancient peoples; and efforts by communities of the distant past to live in harmony with the natural world. Each culture is discussed in a multi-page vignette that explores each group’s embrace of a particular value like equality between the sexes or environmental consciousness, the archaeological evidence that supports the author’s claims, and the significance and legacy of each culture for modern society. While the illustrations are copious, clear, and engaging, maps and time lines would make the stories here even more compelling and easier for young readers to grasp. Though the concluding discussion on archaeologist work and the glossary of key terms are a useful addition, an index and suggestions for further reading would round out the back matter.