Unit 10
Lesson 1
Student’s Book pages 78-79
Ancient civilisations
Before you begin
1 Look at the photographs of Petra. Do you know who lived there in the past? What do you think life was like back then? Discuss with a partner.
The Nabatean Empire
Answers
Students’ own answers
2 Read and listen to the text and check your answers to exercise 1. Then, make a list of new words and check their meaning in the Activity Book glossary or in a dictionary.
Answers
The photograph on the left shows rock caves in Petra and the photograph on the right shows the treasury in Petra. The Nabateans lived in Petra in the past; Students’ own answers
Who were the Nabateans
In Petra, Jordan, there lie the remains of a majestic city carved out of the desert rock. This city was the main area inhabited by the Nabateans, who migrated gradually from Arabia. Originally, they were a nomadic people who chose to settle in various places, such as southern Jordan, the Naqab Desert and northern Arabia.
There is little known about the lifestyle of the Nabateans, except that they were important traders in the ancient world. They might have traded goods such as spices, gold and animals with civilisations such as China, India and Rome because of their convenient position at a commercial crossroads in the world.
Many Roman writers wrote about what the Nabatean culture must have been like, but no one knows for sure. However, they agree that the language of the Nabateans could have been a mixture of Arabic and Aramaic. These Roman writers also say that the Nabateans were ruled by a royal family, and that, unlike many cultures in the ancient world, the Nabatean society might not have used any slaves. In addition to that, the Nabateans must have been expert engineers because they managed to build complicated water conservation systems in the desert terrain.
Despite archaeologists’ best efforts, there is a limit to what they can tell us about these fascinating people who lived in Jordan such a long time ago. Although it is still difficult to know much, they can’t have been illiterate because there are some inscriptions that remain. However, sadly for us, most of the things the Nabateans made and owned have been too easily destroyed by time or lost in the desert.
Comprehension
3 Read and listen to the text again and answer the questions. 1 What do the underlined words refer to?
2 Where did the Nabateans choose to live after emigrating from Arabia? Why do you think they chose to live in these places?
3 What evidence is there to show that the Nabateans were excellent engineers?
4 How was the Nabatean culture different from other ancient cultures?
5 Why do you think ‘no one knows for sure’ about the culture of the Nabateans?
6 Do you think we will discover more about the Nabateans in the future? If so, why and how? If not, why not?
7 The Nabateans were nomads before they chose to settle in Petra. What reasons can you think of that might have influenced them to settle?
Answers
1 they (line 5): the Nabateans;
They (line 11): the Nabateans;
they (line 18): Roman writers;
they (line 29): archaeologists;
they (line 31): the Nabateans
2 The Nabateans chose to live in southern Jordan, the Naqab Desert and northern Arabia. Students can discuss the reasons for this.
3 There are the remains of complicated water storage systems in Petra.
4 It was different because they probably didn’t have slaves.
5 Suggested answer: I think no one knows for sure about the Nabateans because so much has been destroyed, but also perhaps because there has not been enough advance in archaeological technology.
6 Suggested answer: I think we will discover more about the Nabateans because people are still working to find things out, and there will be better technology in the future.
7 Suggested answer: I think the Nabateans might have been influenced by their discovery of a better place to live. It might have had a better climate, for example.
Unit 10
Lesson 1
Activity Book page 53
Ancient civilisations
Vocabulary
1 Complete the following sentences related to ancient civilisations with words from the box. One word is not needed.
|
settling remains inhabitants illiterate lifestyle majestic |
1 The ………………. of this city were living in peace.
2 The ………………. history of this civilisation is carved in the city’s stones.
3 The Nabateans were not …………….. because archaeologists have found some inscriptions.
4 The …………………. of a past civilisation tell us a lot about its culture.
5 Nomadic people kept travelling and …………………… in different places
Answers
1 inhabitants
2 majestic
3 soaked / marinated
4 illiterate
5 settling
