Chapter 4 Section 4 Egyptian Achievements

 What are hieroglyphics? It is an ancient Egyptian system of writing. Egyptian hieroglyphics were one of the world’s first writing systems. The earliest known examples of Egyptian writing are from around 3300 BC and were carved in stone.

Write Your Name!!! The hieroglyphics used more than 600 symbols. Each symbol represented one or more sounds in the Egyptian language. They could be written either horizontally or vertically.

Writing in Egypt What is papyrus? Papyrus is a long-lasting, paper-like material made from reeds. Egyptians made papyrus by pressing layers of reeds together and pounding them into sheets. They could be easily rolled into scrolls. Scribes wrote on papyrus using brushes and ink.

Papyrus boat

Papyrus boats carrying huge blocks

Another Papyrus Boat

What is the Rosetta Stone? It is a huge stone slab inscribed with hieroglyphics, Egyptian Demotic, and classical Greek languages. In 1799 a French soldier discovered this stone. The stone unlocks the key to the mysterious Egyptian hieroglyphics.

Egyptian Texts Because papyrus did not decay in Egypt’s dry climate, many Egyptian texts still survive. Historians can read about ancient medicine, science, government records and literary works. The Book Of The Dead is an example that tells about the afterlife. Book of the Dead

Egypt’s Great Temples Egyptians believed that temples were homes of the gods. People visited the temples to worship, offer gifts to the gods and ask for favors. Temple of Karnak as it looked in Ancient Egypt

Temple of Karnak at Luxor as it looks today

The Temple of Ramses the Great at Abu Simbel near Aswan This temple was moved to its present location make way for the Aswan Dam

Ramses Temple Inside

Aswan Dam

Aswan Dam Today

Ancient Egypt destroyed by the Aswan Dam

The Sphinx What is a sphinx? A sphinx is an imaginary creature with the body of a lion and the head of other animals or humans.

Obelisk What is an obelisk? It is a tall, four- sided pillar that is pointed on top. Where this famous obelisk is located and what is it called?

Egyptian Art Pottery Paintings Wooden carvings jewelry

King Tutankhamen In 1922 Howard Carter discovered an undisturbed tomb in the Valley of the Kings, an area where many pharaohs and their family members were buried. His tomb was filled with unimaginable treasures. His tomb has taught us much about Egyptian burial practices and beliefs.

Howard Carter A dashing fellow, I might add!!!

King Tut’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings

Valley of the Kings

King Tut’s Tomb

Valley of the Kings from the Nile River

Inside King Tut’s Tomb King Tut and his wife Burial chamber

Treasures inside the tomb… ready for the afterlife.

More treasures!!!!!

King Tut’s chariot and other personal items

Gold, Gold, and more Gold!!!!!!

King Tut… then and now.

What killed King Tut? Infection set in after a bone was badly broken.

Valley of the Kings Many Tombs

Summary Ancient Egyptians developed on of the best- known cultures of the ancient world.

Cairo Today

Giza Today