Longest in the world – 4,160 miles 6 great cataracts Annual flooding for farming Year-round farming through irrigation
Climate allowed diverse crops Deposits of building materials – granite, limestone Deserts and seas provide protection from invasion
Old Middle New
2700 to 2200 B.C. Great Sphinx Largest pyramids Upper and lower classes developed
mummification Old Kingdom Egyptians started the tradition of mummification At first, only reserved for royalty and the wealthy The process lasted 40 days Involved removing organs to help remove water from the body Spices and salts were used to dry the body The preserved body was wrapped in linen and placed in a sarcophagus (stone coffin) The body was placed in its tomb with the deceased worldly possessions.
2050 to 1780 B.C. Golden Age of Egypt The new kings made many improvements: Expanded the kingdom into parts of Syria Cleared more land for agriculture Constructed more irrigation systems
But the dynasty will only be short lived Noble wanted power—causing a civil war Hyksos The civil war allowed an outside group to take over Egypt—the Hyksos The Hyksos were able to conquer the Egyptians because they had better weapons—made of bronze Hyksos ruled Egypt for 110 years
1570 to 1080 B.C. Centered around Thebes Pharaohs had absolute power
Began with Ramses II, 1279 to 1213 B.B Invaded by Assyrians, Nubians, Persians Egyptian rule came to an end in 300 B.C.
Build about 80 pyramids along the west bank of the Nile The Great Pyramid at Giza in 2600 B.C.
Invented a calendar based on the moon Numbering system based on 10 Geometry Medicine
Cat, bull, crocodile, scarab beetle Amon, or Amon-Re, the creator, identified with the sun
Led to mumification
Farming – lowly peasants worked to provide for the pharaoh Trade was controlled by the government Caravans went into western Asia and south into Africa Developed sea trade along the Mediterranean Sea
1798 Hieroglyphics Egyptian Greek