The Rise of Civilization in Egypt In this lesson, students will examine the rise of civilization in Egypt. Students will be able to define and/or identify the following terms and concepts: Nile River Agricultural Surplus Civilization Dynasty Pyramid

The Nile River is the longest river in the world. The Nile River is over 4,000 miles long. The Nile River is located in Egypt.

Egypt is a country in Africa.

Facts About the Nile River The Nile River is the longest river in the world. The Nile gets its name from the Greek word “Neilos”, which means valley. The Nile flows northward. The Nile flooded annually. Flooding from the Nile provided fertile soil for farming.

It is important to remember that most of Egypt is desert. The Nile River made civilization in Egypt possible.

“The Gift of the Nile” Historians call Egyptian civilization the “Gift of the Nile.” Why? The Nile provided water for farming. Farming led to permanent settlements. Permanent settlements led to civilization. Let’s examine these events more closely.

When people farm successfully, they grow more food than they need. This extra food is called agricultural surplus. With surplus, some people do not need to farm. They can perform different jobs.

Specialization occurs when people in a society perform different jobs. Surplus makes specialization possible.

Characteristics of a Civilization Agriculture Agricultural Surplus Division of Labor or Specialization Advanced Technical Skills A form of government Cities A Calendar

The Nile River made civilization in Egypt possible. It allowed Egyptians to farm and develop a civilization.

Can you find the country where the Nile river is located in this map of Africa?

The Nile River flooded and provided a fertile layer of soil. This layer of soil is called silt.

Dynasty A dynasty is a ruling family. There were many dynasties in ancient Egypt. The Pharaoh was the head of the dynasty. He was considered a divine ruler or a god. The Egyptians believed in many gods. They were polytheistic.

During the period of the ancient Egyptian Old Kingdom, Pharaohs were buried in Pyramids.

The ancient Egyptians built pyramids or tombs for their deceased rulers.

The ancient Egyptians mummified their deceased Pharaohs. Believing in an afterlife, mummification preserved the Pharaoh’s body.

Questions for Reflection: Where is the Nile River located? Provide two facts about the Nile River? Why do historians call Egyptian civilization the “Gift of the Nile”? Define agricultural surplus. Define specialization. List three characteristics of civilization. Describe what Pyramids were used for.