Social Studies Essential UNIT Question: How did the ancient world contribute to the development of civilization?
Social Studies Standards Case study of an early people of the Middle East (Sumer, Egypt, or Mesopotamia): 3.1 a, 3.1 c, 3.1 d
DO-NOW: Update Table of Contents; Place homework in portfolio.
Focus Question # 22: What were the contributions of the Old Kingdom of Ancient Egypt? (Part 2)
The Role of Religion: The Egyptian people were polytheists; They believed that the Pharaoh was the son of Ra (RAH), the sun god; he was viewed as the giver of life; Egyptian religion claimed that each of their gods had a responsibility: One god was responsible for the Nile flooding; another was responsible for the harvest of crops, and the yet another for the talents of metalworkers and potters. The most important goddess was Isis (EYE-sis): She protected people from illness. The Pharaoh claimed she was his divine mother.
Ra, the Sun God Ra, the falcon-headed god of the sun; he is depicted as half-man, half-animal. The sun disk rests on his head.
Isis, the Divine Mother of Pharaoh
Mummification: The Egyptian religion believed that after you died your body continued to the afterlife; Therefore, the priests practiced mummification, which is a process of preserving one’s body in strips of cloth and the application of salts to dehydrate the skin, causing a petrified appearance. Vital organs were removed and placed in canoptic jars; Lastly, the priests also applied perfumes and oils to the body.
Preparations for Afterlife:
Sarcophagus & Canopic Jars Priests placed vital organs in jars Sarcophagus = Coffin
Tomb Raiders:
Tombs as Proof of Life: The pyramids were erected as tombs for the pharaohs. Imhotep, the first architect and engineer to be known by name, built the first pyramid in honor of Pharaoh Zoser. It was built in the town of Sakkara. The design is known as a stepped pyramid because it did not have smooth sides.
Stepped Pyramid:
Menes “The Pharaoh of Unity”
The Double Crown of Egypt Crown of Upper Egypt (White); Crown of Lower Egypt (Red) United Crown of Egypt
Lower and Upper Egypt:
Silt deposits = Rich soil Silt scooped out of the Nile Silt helps nourish soil
Egyptian Irrigation The Shadoof Canals
The Nilometer
Flax was used for clothing Egyptian Cloth Egyptian weavers Flax was used for clothing
The Flooding of the Nile River
Egyptian Transportation
Egyptian Domestication
The Nile and Its Delta
The Delta
Activity:
Homework # 31: See HW tab (Website)
Today’s Middle East http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/me.htm
Today I Learned . . .