1. E. Napp The Middle Kingdom In this lesson, students will identify characteristics of the Middle Kingdom, a period of ancient Egyptian history. Students will be able to define or summarize the following terms and concepts: Middle Kingdom Differences between the Old Kingdom and the Middle Kingdom Hyksos

2. E. Napp Around 2040 B.C., a new dynasty of powerful Pharaohs reunited Egypt after the collapse of the Old Kingdom.

3. E. Napp A pharaoh was a divine ruler of ancient Egypt. The Egyptians believed that a pharaoh was godlike.

4. E. Napp Differences Between the Old Kingdom and the Middle Kingdom There were several important differences between the Old Kingdom and the Middle Kingdom: *During the Middle Kingdom, pharaohs shared power with other officials. *People of the Middle Kingdom mummified everyone. *Pharaohs were not buried in pyramids in the Middle Kingdom.

5. E. Napp During the Middle Kingdom, ancient Egyptians believed that all people experienced life after death.

6. E. Napp During the Middle Kingdom, the ancient Egyptians mummified all of the dead for the afterlife.

7. E. Napp Mummification A dead person needed his body to get to the afterlife. If the body was properly preserved, the spirit would reenter the body and bring it to life in the next world. Depending on an ancient Egyptian’s social status, the process of mummification could be elaborate or simple.

8. E. Napp When a person was mummified, the organs were removed and carefully preserved but the brain was thrown away.

9. E. Napp The ancient Egyptians believed that the heart was the seat of the soul.

10. E. Napp Interesting Facts About Mummification The brain was taken out through the nose. Embalmers did not want to damage the face. Masks were placed over the heads of mummies to ensure that spirits could recognize their bodies. Natron was used to dry the body out and preserve it.

11. E. Napp The people of the Middle Kingdom did not bury pharaohs in pyramids.

12. E. Napp Around 1630 B.C., the Hyksos invaded and defeated the Middle Kingdom.

13. E. Napp The Hyksos The Hyksos were nomads from Southwest Asia. The Hyksos had superior weapons. They introduced the horse-drawn chariot. The Hyksos could make iron. They had superior technology.

14. E. Napp Questions for Reflection: List three significant differences between the Old Kingdom and the Middle Kingdom. Why did Middle Kingdom people mummify everyone? Describe the process of mummification. Who were the Hyksos? Why were the Hyksos able to defeat the people of the Middle Kingdom?