ANCIENT EGYPT: LAND OF THE PHARAOHS NOTES

ALONG THE NILE A long time ago, what is now the Sahara Desert, was a green plain with water and wildlife. Over time the changed and it became a DESERT. People left the area to look for water and went to Egypt.

ALONG THE NILE The Nile River runs through Egypt. The Nile River Valley was a swampland filled with dangerous animals. The people cleared the land because they needed water badly.

ALONG THE NILE Like the Sumerians, the people of Egypt built a civilization along the Nile River. They learned to farm, tame animals, make pottery & tools & weave.

ALONG THE NILE Each year, in July, the Nile River flooded. This left the land very fertile.

ALONG THE NILE Farmers dug canals to irrigate their fields. Once the flood was over, farmers would plant their seeds in the rich, soft land.

LOWER & UPPER EGYPT 2 kings ruled Egypt—one ruled Lower Egypt, the other ruled Upper Egypt. Lower Egypt—red crown Upper Egypt—white crown

LOWER & UPPER EGYPT The 2 kings fought to control all of Egypt. King Menes, the king of Upper Egypt conquered Lower Egypt. He wore a “double” crown & ruled all of Egypt.

LOWER & UPPER EGYPT King Menes became the 1st PHARAOH, meaning “The Great House.” Pharaohs were powerful rulers.

LOWER & UPPER EGYPT Pharaohs collected TAXES from all people. Farmers had to give pharaohs a large part of their crops as a tax.

THE PYRAMIDS Pharaohs wanted everyone to remember how rich & powerful they were. Some had statues & tombs built for them.

THE PYRAMIDS When pharaohs died, their bodies were placed in tombs. All the pharaohs favorite things were placed in the tomb. They believed they would need those things in the next world.

THE PYRAMIDS Pharaohs were buried in tombs called PYRAMIDS. Many are still standing today. They are considered one of the wonders of the world.

THE PYRAMIDS The most famous pyramid is the Great Pyramid near Cairo, Egypt. Larger than 10 football fields! Took 400,000 men working everyday for 20 years to complete.

How do the pyramids serve as a record of Egyptian civilization? WHAT DO YOU THINK? How do the pyramids serve as a record of Egyptian civilization?

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING Why did people settle along the Nile River? What did the pyramids represent? Why did the pharaohs want all of their favorite things buried with them?

EGYPTIAN MUMMIES Egyptians used special chemicals to keep the dead body from rotting away. The brains & organs had to be removed. Then the body was wrapped in cloth bandages.

EGYPTIAN MUMMIES Bodies wrapped in these bandages were called MUMMIES. There are mummies on display in museums today.

EGYPTIAN LIFE & RELIGION Egyptians were concerned about the way they looked. Egyptian women wore long, dark hair and many braids and ringlets.

EGYPTIAN LIFE & RELIGION Both men & women wore make-up. Lips painted red; eyes drawn black using kohl. Both men & women liked perfume.

EGYPTIAN INVENTIONS The Egyptians invented a system of picture-writing called HIEROGLYPHICS. They made paper from river reed called PAPRYUS.

EGYPTIAN INVENTIONS Egyptians learned to chart the stars. They also decided that there were 365 days in a year.

Other gifts from the Egyptians: *jewelry *tools *weapons *music *ships EGYPTIAN INVENTIONS Other gifts from the Egyptians: *jewelry *tools *weapons *music *ships