In 1924 The Illustrated London News broke the story of a sensational discovery in the Indian subcontinent. Ruined mounds at Mohenjodaro and Harappa, 600 km apart, were forgotten cities of a lost civilisation. Nearly all we know about the Indus Civilisation comes from archaeology. What survives leaves many unanswered questions, so the topic is ideal to engage children in enquiry, facilitated by cross-curricular activities.

They can explore evidence as archaeologists do, find out how they explained it, why they disagree and how conclusions change. It can tap children's innate curiosity and fulfil history curriculum objectives...