1. Egypt
Achievements

3. Essential Question
How did the innovations of ancient Egypt impact its neighbors and future civilizations?

4. How did the innovations of ancient Egypt impact its neighbors and future civilizations?
Hieroglyphics
The earliest known examples of Egyptian writing date from about 3,300 BCE. These were first written into stone. However, Egyptians quickly learned to make “paper” from Papyrus.
Papyrus was durable (strong), easy to make and could be rolled into a scroll and transported with no struggle.
The hieroglyphic writing system used more than 600 symbols, mostly pictures of objects. Each symbol represented one or more sounds in the Egyptian language.
Hieroglyphics could be written horizontally or vertically. Also, they could be written left to right and right to left – which can make reading very difficult. One must look at individual symbols to decipher this problem.

5. How did innovations of the ancient Egyptians impact its neighbors and future civilizations?
Rosetta Stone
Historians, archaeologists, anthropologists and other scientists have known about Hieroglyphics for centuries. However, it was not until 1799, that “modern” society found the key, and could read them.
The “key” was the Rosetta Stone. A large slab of stone inscribed with: Hieroglyphics, Greek and a later form of Egyptian. Because the text in all three languages was the same, scholars who knew Greek, figured out what the Hieroglyphs said!

6. Book of the Dead: tells of the afterlife
How did innovations of ancient Egyptians impact its neighbors and future civilizations?
Texts
Because papyrus did not decay in Egypt’s dry climate, many texts survive to this day, telling us about ancient Egyptian life!
Government and historical records, science texts, medical manuals, stories, poems and mythological tales.
Book of the Dead: tells of the afterlife

7. How did the innovations of the ancient Egyptians impact its neighbors and future civilizations?
Temples
Egyptians are famous for their architecture. Besides pyramids, they are built massive temples. Those that survive are amongst the most spectacular sites in Egypt today!
The Egyptians believed temples were home to the gods. People visited the temples to worship, offer the gods gifts and ask for favors.
Temples quite often share similar features. The insides were elaborated decorated with paintings, carvings, statues and columns. The outsides would quite often have statues of gods, humans, animals and imaginary creatures, or Sphinxes. Also, one might find an obelisk, a tall four-sided pillar that is pointed on top.
Famous Temples: Temple of Karnak, Abu Simbel built by RamssesII and Temple of Luxor.

8. How did the innovations of the ancient Egyptians impact its neighbors and future civilizations?
Tombs
Over the years, many treasure hunters, emptied the tombs of pharaohs. At least one tomb, however, was not disturbed. In archaeologists discovered the tomb of King Tutankhamen, or King Tut.
This tomb was filled with treasures such as: jewelry, clothes, robes, food, weapons, toys, ivory statues, his burial mask, and much more.
King Tut’s tomb has taught us much as ancient Egyptian burial practices and beliefs.

9. How did the innovations of the ancient Egyptians impacts its neighbors and future civilizations?
Art
Egyptians painted lively, colorful scenes on canvas, papyrus, plaster, pottery and wood. They were also on the walls of temples and tombs. The paintings were to honor the gods and to provide enjoyment for the dead in the afterlife.
Peoples heads and legs are always seen from the side, but their upper bodies and shoulders are straight on. Important figures, such as pharaohs, appear larger than others. Animals were usually realistic.

10. How did the innovations of the Egyptians impact its neighbors and future civilizations?
Egyptian Trading
Egyptian rulers and merchants used trade routes to buy and sell goods. Their caravans carried many things besides merchandise.
The Egyptians taught others the skills of writing, measuring, and building.
Doctors shared their knowledge about medicine.
Artists and sculptors sold their creations to important and wealthy people in other countries.
Trade routes used by the Egyptians sometimes crossed other routes. Those went to places even farther away, like Asia and India.
Why Does It Matter?
Trading meant that Egyptian innovations and technology were used around the world. People in other countries were able to improve their lives. They adapted the Egyptian products to fit their needs. They added to the knowledge they learned from the Egyptians and invented new technology. Those new innovations traveled to even more places and changed even more lives.