Chapter 4 Section 1

Next stop – Egypt! The water and fertile (good for growing crops) soils of the Nile River Valley allowed a great civilization to develop in Egypt The water and fertile (good for growing crops) soils of the Nile River Valley allowed a great civilization to develop in Egypt

The Nile River brought life to Egypt. The Nile River brought life to Egypt. It is the longest river in the world. It is the longest river in the world. It is 4000 miles long, but Egyptian civilization developed along only a 750 mile stretch. It is 4000 miles long, but Egyptian civilization developed along only a 750 mile stretch. NiLe RiverNiLe River Nile River Delta

Time to be Confused Ancient Egypt was divided into 2 regions – the North (Lower) and South (Upper) – Yes, I know that’s weird, nevertheless: Ancient Egypt was divided into 2 regions – the North (Lower) and South (Upper) – Yes, I know that’s weird, nevertheless: The southern region was called Upper Egypt even though it was below Lower Egypt. Confused? Okay, then pay attention. The southern region was called Upper Egypt even though it was below Lower Egypt. Confused? Okay, then pay attention. The Nile starts in the south where there are high hills and mountains---Upriver = Upper Egypt The Nile starts in the south where there are high hills and mountains---Upriver = Upper Egypt It flows downward toward the sea in the north— downriver= Lower Egypt. It flows downward toward the sea in the north— downriver= Lower Egypt.

Okay—see—lower is upper and upper is lower

Food in the desert? Sand—wiches? The Nile River created a fertile (good for planting) valley, but on each side of this valley the desert sands stretched for HUNDREDS of miles. The Nile River created a fertile (good for planting) valley, but on each side of this valley the desert sands stretched for HUNDREDS of miles.

Delta Where the Nile flows down into the Mediterranean Sea it divides into a number of branches Where the Nile flows down into the Mediterranean Sea it divides into a number of branches They make a triangular shape called a delta. They make a triangular shape called a delta.

Flood Fun for Farmers – (alliteration or onomotapaeia?) The Nile flooded almost every year—that’s bad! The Nile flooded almost every year—that’s bad! No, that’s good—the floodwaters deposited silt which is enriched soil that grew wonderful crops No, that’s good—the floodwaters deposited silt which is enriched soil that grew wonderful crops Without the Nile people could never have farmed in Egypt. Without the Nile people could never have farmed in Egypt. This is why Egypt is called “the gift of the Nile.” This is why Egypt is called “the gift of the Nile.”

Civilization Develops in Egypt From a few scattered farms along the Nile grew villages and eventually cities. From a few scattered farms along the Nile grew villages and eventually cities. Around 10,000B.C., that’s 12,000 years ago folks, hunter-gatherers found plants and fish to eat in the Nile Valley---boring menu. Around 10,000B.C., that’s 12,000 years ago folks, hunter-gatherers found plants and fish to eat in the Nile Valley---boring menu.

Taking water from the Nile : 6,000 years ago people started real farming using a Mesopotamian irrigation system, the shadoof. 6,000 years ago people started real farming using a Mesopotamian irrigation system, the shadoof. As there was so much water the farmers could also raise cattle, sheep, ducks, and geese As there was so much water the farmers could also raise cattle, sheep, ducks, and geese

Shadoof Irrigation

Geography as Protection Egypt was protected from invaders because it was bordered by hot deserts, the Mediterranean and Red Seas and river rapids. Egypt was protected from invaders because it was bordered by hot deserts, the Mediterranean and Red Seas and river rapids. Egypt grew strong and developed the 2 kingdoms Of Upper and Lower Egypt – (very dull names but they were busy people!). Egypt grew strong and developed the 2 kingdoms Of Upper and Lower Egypt – (very dull names but they were busy people!).

Pharoah Menes Okay, so his army of Upper Egypt conquered Lower Egypt. Okay, so his army of Upper Egypt conquered Lower Egypt. He married a princess from the people he conquered. No, I don’t think they were in love—it was a business decision. He married a princess from the people he conquered. No, I don’t think they were in love—it was a business decision. He named his capital city Memphis. We have a city named after it in Tennessee. Have you ever heard of Elvis Presley? He named his capital city Memphis. We have a city named after it in Tennessee. Have you ever heard of Elvis Presley?

Menes--_____ Elvis

Please check your notes to make sure you can answer the following questions. Highlight the information you will need later for a test. How long is the Nile River? How long is the Nile River? Who was the first pharoah? Who was the first pharoah? What is called “the gift of the Nile?” What is called “the gift of the Nile?” What geographical features helped keep Egypt safe from invaders? What geographical features helped keep Egypt safe from invaders? What is the shadoof? What is the shadoof?