Ancient Egypt Ms. Means' 6 th Grade Social Studies Class October 2013

Geography The Nile River runs 4,000 miles north to the Mediterranean Sea. The land was dry and hot until the Nile flooded it. The Nile flooded Upper Egypt in midsummer and Lower Egypt in the fall, coating the land around the river with rich soil. These branches formed a Delta, a triangle shape area of land made of soil deposited by a river.

Government Egyptian kings and queens were called Pharaohs. Pharaohs were believed to be both a king and a god. To help with his duties, the pharaohs hired government officials. Egypt also founded some of the first dynasties (a series of rulers from the same family).

Religion Egyptians believed in polytheism. The afterlife was a big part of Egyptian religion. Egyptians believed someone’s ka (life force) became a spirit when they died. Mummification had to be performed to preserve the body for afterlife.

Egyptian Art Artisans were sculptors, builders, carpenters, jewelers, metal, workers, and leather workers. Artisans made statues, furniture, jewelry, pottery, footwear, and other items. Artists were employed by the state temple. Artists often worked in the pharaohs tombs painting detailed pictures.

Trade Queen Hatshepsut helped the people of Egypt by sending traders faraway places. They traded with Asia Minor, Greece, Kingdom of Punt, Sarai, and Nubia. They traded turquoise, copper, wheat. They received gold, ivory, slaves, stone, and wood.

Social Order 2 million people in 2200 BC were in the Egyptian society. The social order: Pharaohs, nobles, scribes, craftspeople, farmers, slaves, servants. A complex society required people to take on different jobs.

Architecture The science of building was called architecture. Egyptians were most famous for their pyramids. Near Giza lies the biggest pyramid, The pyramid of Kufu. The Egyptians also built the famous Sphinx and Obelisk.

Written Language and Major Achievements Their written language was called hieroglyphics. They wrote on papyrus or carved in stone. Rosetta stone: a stone slab inscribed with hieroglyphics helped us to understand the language. Major achievements: pyramids, temples