Ancient Egypt

THE NILE RIVER What features would create the desire to live around the Nile? Egyptian civilization started along the banks of the Nile around 3300 BCE. The Nile travels through 9 countries before exiting into the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile is the longest river in the world stretching over 4,000 mile long. The Greek historian, Herodus claimed that “Egypt was the Gift of the Nile” The Nile River flows SOUTH to NORTH!

Life on the Nile Pharaohs oversaw a lot of these issues Landowners along the Nile learned to rely on each other. People had to be careful not to pollute water upstream at the expense of their neighbor. They had to repair canals and avoid being overly greedy and using too much water! Pharaohs oversaw a lot of these issues from their capital along the Nile at CAIRO

Gifts of the Nile AGRICULTURE: Each year, the Nile flooded, leaving behind a rich dark soil called “the gift of the Nile.” Farmers grew figs, onions, pomegranates, apples, beans, garlic, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips, lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, melons, pumpkins, grapes, barley (for bread and beer), and flax (used to make clothing.)

Farming in the Nile floodplain Felucca boats

Adapting to Floods Egyptians initially struggled with yearly floods. Crops, houses and lives were often destroyed. (Believed to be messages from the Gods). However, once they figured out that the floods took place at the same time every year, they developed methods for using the mineral rich silt. Egyptian life was split into 3 seasons: flooding, planting and harvesting season.

How the Nile Shaped the Egyptian Landscape The Nile provided the new settlers with other gifts besides food and drink. Papyrus reeds grew on the banks of the Nile which was used to make paper, build boats and part of houses. Houses were originally made of papyrus reeds with thatched roofs. Later, mud brick houses were developed.

Critters Were any animals living around the Nile?                                                Were any animals living around the Nile? Fish, ducks, crocodiles, hippos , giraffes, ostriches and geese were some of the animals that lived in the Nile River and delta region. Many of these animals became delicious meals. Others did not! http://www.african-safari-pictures.com/image-files/nile-crocodile.jpg                                               

Trade How did the Nile River help trade? With the passage of time, Egyptians could produce more food than they needed. The Nile was the regions super highway! Horses and wheeled vehicles don’t show up for years. Boats were eventually created which could travel from place to place on the Nile. Goods uncommon in certain areas (such as wood in Egypt) could be easily transported back and forth. http://www.travel-to-egypt.net/nile-river-pictures.html

Relief from heat Egypt received very little rain. The temperature was hot and dry all year-similar to summer. Egyptians often relied on the Nile for personal relief from the heat. No doubt, it also provided entertainment for people, but watch out for the alligators!

Let’s Take A Tour All Aboard! We’re now going to hop onto a boat and take a ride down the Nile River, making six stops to visit some of the most famous sites in Egypt!

Stop 1: Pyramids of Giza Egypt’s most famous monument: The Great Pyramids at Giza. The monumental tombs are relics of Egypt's Old Kingdom era and were constructed some 4,500 years ago. Egypt's pharaohs expected to become gods in the afterlife. To prepare for the next world they erected temples to the gods and massive pyramid tombs for themselves—filled with all the things each ruler would need to guide and sustain himself in the next world. The largest pyramid was originally 481 feet tall and covered 13 acres.

Stop 2: Karnak Temple Karnak temple is the biggest temple in Egypt. It was enlarged and built upon by one pharaoh after another for over 1300 years Egyptians believed the Karnak Temple was the home of the the god, Amun Ra.

Stop 3: Abu Simbel At Abu-Simbel, you will witness 65 foot statues (6 story building) of Pharaoh Ramses II which were cut directly into the sandstone cliffs. It was originally built between 1290 and 1224 BCE to honor Rames II’s victory at the Battle of Kadesh, to show his power and to intimidate other civilizations neaby.

Abu Simbel 65 foot statues of Pharaoh Rames at Abu Simbel

STOP 4- The Sphinx The Great Sphinx is a large human-headed lion that was carved from a mound of natural rock. The Sphinx is located in Giza where it guards the front of Pharaoh Khafra's pyramids. Ps: His nose is missing… what do you think Happened?

STOP 5- LUXOR TEMPLE A massive temple built to honor the God Amun Ra. The temple Includes many statues of guards sitting and standing on each side. Many people used this temple as their main place of worship. The Luxor Temple is one of Egypt’s main tourist attractions since it is so beautiful and interesting!

Our last stop: Abu Simbel Temples The set of temples were carved into a mountain face on the western banks of the River Nile between the years of 1274 and 1244 BC. Both temples were built to honor Egyptian Gods. In order to enter the temples location you must walk through a gate guarded by four VERY large, seated, stone men. Every wall inside both temples are covered in hieroglyphics depicting battle scenes and offerings to the Gods.

STOP 6: Valley of the Kings The Valley of the Kings was a huge underground network of tombs for the Pharaohs. After around 1500 B.C. the Pharaohs no longer built great pyramids in which to be buried. Instead, most of them were buried in tombs in the Valley of the Kings. There are over 60 tombs in the Valley of the Kings. They vary from small tombs that are little more than a large hole in the ground to very large tombs with over 100 underground chambers. Unfortunately, most of the tombs were looted thousands of years ago and the treasure was stolen or removed by thieves

Dead Sea: Lowest Point on Earth 2,300’ below sea level Highest Salt Content (33%) http://www.history.com/videos/mummies-mummy-unwrapping-parties#the-naked-underground-dead-sea http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12HIErmCqQI