Tut’s Treasures Life and art in Ancient Egypt Ss So, what was life like 5000 years ago?

The Sahara desert, Egypt Hmmm, I think I’m going to need …… The children are living 5000 years ago, in the Sahara desert in a land called Egypt in Northeast Africa. There are no machines, cars, computers, no factories, shops or supermarkets. Everything they need, they have to make or grow themselves. What do they need most? Elicit water, sun, food, plants, animals, raw materials, shade, protection, company, community etc.

Egypt and the River Nile They are very lucky to live on the banks of an important river – the River Nile. Every year, the river floods and the river sand, or silt, that is washed up onto the banks is very fertile.

The banks of the River Nile Water! Sun! Plants! Hurrah! Because of the sun rising and setting every day, and because the river floods regularly once a year, their families can irrigate their land, grow food for themselves and for their animals to ensure their survival for the rest of the year.

The sun god, Ra The Ancient Egyptians believed that the gods were the cause of their good luck, and the sun god, Ra, was the most important god to whom they owed their lives. Ra is usually shown with a human body and a hawk’s head, on which he balances a golden orb, or sun. A good opportunity to point out the differences between the modern, 3D image on the left (as seen, ‘photographic’) and the stylized 2D image on the right (body facing forwards, feet and head facing right; the sun appears to have been plonked directly on top of Ra’s head). He’s carrying an Ankh, the Egyptian symbol for eternal life, which appears on a later slide also.

King Tutankhamun’s Treasure, Valley of the Kings. I was buried near here. After 30 years of searching for a tomb that people said didn’t exist, an English archaeologist named Howard Carter discovered the tomb of King Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings in 1922. It contained the mummified body of the young Pharaoh, and a treasure trove of objects that can help us to understand the Ancient Egyptian way of life.

Howard Carter discovered King Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922.

The Pharaoh’s mummified body was preserved in a golden sarcophagus

The Ancient Egyptians decorated the walls of their Pharaohs’ burial chambers: can you spot the sun god, Ra?

Carter found a room full of treasure Wow! That’s a lot of stuff needed in the Afterlife!

Look carefully at some of the objects Carter found in Tutankhamun’s tomb and try to guess what they are …

A bust of King Tutankhamun as a young boy

A toy: Hounds and Jackals board game

A dog to keep the Pharaoh company in the Afterlife

Mummy bandages

As Pharaoh and King of Egypt: the lid of Tutankhamun’s sarcophagus

The Pharaoh’s throne

His sandals, to crush enemies underfoot

A spare collar

Fan shafts or sunshades

A mirror stand, in the shape of an ankh – the Egyptian symbol for eternal life

A water jug – in case he gets thirsty

A box in which to store papyrus

Papyrus Papyrus was a very tall (5m), strong and versatile plant that grew along the banks of the river. It was used to make baskets, rope, sandals, mattresses, medicine, perfume, food, clothes, tables, chairs, boats - and, of course, paper. The Ancient Egyptians first invented paper in 3500 BC; before that, people made marks on clay or stone. Which is the 2D (representational) image? Which is the 3D (photographic)?

How did the Ancient Egyptians make papyrus paper? Firstly, the outside layer of the stem was removed. Then the inner layer of the plant was sliced into long strips and placed side by side with a second layer on top at a right angle (criss-crossed for strength). Next, the whole thing was soaked in water and pressed under a heavy rock for 21 days. The juice of the plant acted like glue and bonded the strips together. Finally, the sheet was hammered flat and dried in the sun.

From then till now 3500 BC 0 AD 2015 AD Ancient Egyptian times Birth of Christ Modern Times

A brief history of writing Before that, cuneiform on clay or stone. Hieroglyphs on papyrus, from 3500 BC until 400 AD. 3500 BC 0 AD 2015 AD Ancient Egyptian times Birth of Christ Modern Times

What does the hieroglyph say?

Dear Ra, Thank you for …… Love, (your name in hieroglyphs)