1. Starter: WRITE OUT Question and Answer
Identify the statement that best begins an explanation of the Neolithic Revolution.
In Northern Europe, nomadic hunters began to produce more complex stone tools.
In East Asia, early settlers began using markings on turtle shells and bones as an early form of record keeping.
In the Middle East, people began to settle in small communities and practice agriculture.
In Mesoamerica, agricultural settlements saw an expansion of their populations and the beginning of more complex governments.
The soil-rich valley between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers made possible the emergence of which early civilization?
Egyptian
Mesopotamian
Mongolian
Persian
How did the implementation of codified laws such as the Code of Hammurabi affect the people of ancient societies?
It unified the various peoples and laws within the empire.
It reduced the authority of the king over citizens.
It limited the role of government in the lives of citizens.
It established the separation of government and religion.

2. Vocabulary
Pharaoh- title of ancient Egyptian monarchs; “great house” or “palace”
Bureaucracy- an administrative organization that relies on nonelective officials and regular procedures.
Vizier-a high government official.
Mummification- a process of slowly drying dead body to prevent it from decaying.
Hieroglyphics- “priest-carvings” or “sacred writings,” a complex system of writing that used both pictures and more abstract forms.
Hieratic Script- simplified version of hieroglyphics.

3. Ancient Egypt
Location: Egypt, Africa
River: Nile

4. The Nile River
The Nile River flows from central Africa northward dumping into the Mediterranean Sea.
Before it meets the sea, it splits into three major branches creating a delta.
Yearly floods along the Nile left a deposit of mud that created a rich soil (“Black Land”).
Trade along the Nile helped unify the area.
Natural barriers (deserts, seas) also helped protect Egyptians from invasion.

5. Religion
Along with predictable flooding, religion provided a sense of security and world order.
Polytheistic, their gods represented heavenly bodies and natural forces.
Sun gods (Sun was called Re and viewed as giver of life. Rulers were considered the Son of Re and therefore held great power.)
Land gods (including the Nile itself)
Pyramids and mummification were important aspects of Egyptian religion.

6. Government
Ancient Egyptians believed their rulers were given power from the gods.
The pharaoh (like a king/queen, monarch) therefore held absolute power.
These pharaohs were mummified after death because Egyptians believe they continued to rule in the afterlife.

7. Egyptian Society Pharaoh (god-king) Nobles and priests
Middle Class (merchants, artisans, scribes, tax collectors)
Workers of the land (majority were peasants who farmed and served as military)

8. Daily life in ancient egypt
Young marriages (12 and 14) were arranged by parents
Main reason for marriage was to produce children
Monogamy (marriage to one) was typical, but men were allowed additional wives if their first was childless.
Divorce was possible and compensation was given to the wife if it occurred
Patriarchal society, but women held much respect (and could become the pharaoh)
Women kept their own property even after marriage

9. Writing and education
Hieroglyphics: Greek translation meaning “priest-carvings” or “sacred writings”; this type of writing uses pictures and abstract shapes
Hieratic script was used more for business, record keeping, and for daily use.
Not all Egyptians could write! Coptic was the spoken language
Scribes, masters of writing, were also teachers and were highly respected. (Only men of the upper class could become a scribe.)

10. Hieroglyphic Text

11. Art and science Pyramids, temples, and monuments (religious as well)
Math became extremely important for building projects (geometry)
Used a 365-day calendar
Embalming of bodies led to increased knowledge of anatomy (mummies)

12. Assignment
Using the hieroglyphics chart on the next slide, explain what you think the life of an Egyptian was like in Ancient Egypt.
You must use the symbols in the chart to write out your explanation in 2-3 Sentences.
Leave spaces under your hieroglyphic symbols.

14. SWITCH!!! Switch your hieroglyphics drawing with a partner.
Now using the hieroglyphics chart, decipherer your friends statement at the spaces they left below.

16. Mankind: Egyptian Pyramid Construction Questions
The pyramids weren’t built by slaves. How did they pay the craftsmen?
What invention allowed Hemiunu to organize the pyramid workers?
What did they do to inspire the men to work faster?
What archeological evidence do they have of accidents among the workers?