To challenge students, teachers can require that individuals or groups choose an ancient civilization less thoroughly covered in the regular curriculum. Examples of civilizations which fit this but which are relatively easy to research include the ancient Hebrews, the Sumerians, the Persians, the Babylonians, and the Minoans of ancient Greece. More challenging still are ancient civilizations which require more research because references to them are more rare. These include the Hindu civilizations of the Indus Valley, the Hittites, the ancient Aryans of central Asia, and the Assyrians.
Once students have selected a civilization to research, they should narrow their focus by also selecting a specific feature of civilization itself as it appeared in that society. Some of the hallmarks of early human civilizations are the development of cities, complex forms of religion, the specialization of jobs, the emergence of social classes, the invention of writing, forms of architecture, the rise of well-organized central governments, and the construction of public works such as the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Teachers should encourage students to choose a focus and stick with it. Groups may want to do a project on "The Hittites" but this topic is far too broad. "How Hittite Religion Adopted Foreign Gods" is a better topic because it will require students to do detailed research rather than relying on generalizations.
Another approach is for individuals or groups to choose a defining characteristic of early civilizations, such as their form of law, and examine how various civilizations reflect this characteristic. This type of project will probably require the teacher to provide more guidance to students as they may have difficulty articulating key differences and similarities among civilizations, focusing instead on non-relevant details. This approach is thematic and requires more critical thinking skills than projects which focus on a single civilization.
Choosing a topic and doing research is a similar process regardless of the project's intended delivery format. Presenting information, however, requires different skills depending on the format chosen. Teachers can still require students to deliver oral reports, which are a long-standing tradition in education. They may want to allow students to create PowerPoint presentations that will accompany their verbal remarks. A still more extensive use of technology is to have students create automated slide shows or movies that include narration, though in that case students can rehearse their remarks in advance. Teachers may want to require students to speak extemporaneously instead. Projects may also have a written form such as a required essay or outline. An essay can be one component of a project, or it could be the entire project itself.