The Smithsonian Institution is working with the nation's schools as never before to provide greater access to the collections and expertise of its nineteen museums and nine research centers. Smithsonian materials represent the work of leading experts in history, science, art, and culture.

Through its collaboration with the Comprehensive Social Studies Assessment Project (CSSAP) of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), its educators selected materials to enrich the topics covered in this unit. This unit is reflective of the Council's advocacy for high-quality curricular materials involving 21st century skills and the Smithsonian's efforts to broaden both its scope and outreach.

The links to additional resources from the Smithsonian Institution collection may be used by teachers to supplement the resources in the unit and/or to create additional lessons following the models provided in the unit.

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Exhibition: The Ancient West African City of Benin
http://www.nmafa.si.edu/exhibits/beninsp.htm

Exhibition: Ancient Mexican Art
http://www.nmai.si.edu/exhibitions/ancient/index.html

Exhibition: Unmasking the Maya
http://www.mnh.si.edu/anthro/maya/

Collection: Ancient Egyptian Art
http://www.asia.si.edu/collections/egyptHome.htm

Collection: Ancient Near Eastern Art
http://www.asia.si.edu/collections/ancientNeareastHome.htm

Collection: Chinese Art
http://www.asia.si.edu/collections/chineseHome.htm

Collection: South Asian and Himalayan Art
http://www.asia.si.edu/collections/himalayanHome.htm

Smithsonian Article: “Who Was Cleopatra?”
http://www.smithsonianmagazine.com/issues/2007/april/cleopatra.php

Smithsonian Online Feature: “Rome Reborn”
http://www.smithsonianmagazine.com/issues/2007/july/rome.php