E. Napp The Old Kingdom In this lesson, students will identify characteristics of the Old Kingdom of ancient Egyptian history. Students will be able to define and/or identify the following terms: Lower Egypt Upper Egypt Dynasty Pharaoh Pyramid
E. Napp Ancient Egypt consisted of two regions: Lower Egypt and Upper Egypt.
E. Napp Lower Egypt was located near the Mediterranean Sea. It was northern Egypt.
E. Napp The people of Lower Egypt lived near the Nile Delta. A delta is the mouth of a river where it flows to the sea.
E. Napp The Nile delta valley was very fertile. The people of Lower Egypt were able to farm and produce agricultural surplus.
E. Napp Upper Egypt was located in southern Egypt. Upper Egypt had its own kingdom.
E. Napp Lower and Upper Egypt Unite The people of Upper Egypt (southern Egypt) began to build large irrigation projects. Irrigation is the process of bringing water from the rivers to the neighboring farms. In order to finish these irrigation projects, the people of Upper Egypt needed to work together with the people of Lower Egypt.
E. Napp Around 3100 B.C., a ruler united Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt.
E. Napp Dynasty A dynasty is a ruling family. There were many dynasties in ancient Egypt. The Pharaoh was the head of the dynasty. He was considered a divine ruler or a god. The Egyptians believed in many gods. They were polytheistic.
E. Napp During the period of the ancient Egyptian Old Kingdom, Pharaohs were buried in Pyramids.
E. Napp The ancient Egyptians built pyramids or tombs for their deceased rulers.
E. Napp The Old Kingdom lasted from 3100 B.C. to 2186 B.C.
E. Napp The ancient Egyptians mummified their deceased Pharaohs. Believing in an afterlife, mummification preserved the Pharaoh’s body.
E. Napp Questions for Reflection: Where was Lower Egypt located? Where was Upper Egypt located? Why did Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt unite? Define dynasty, Pharaoh, divine ruler, mummification, and polytheism. Why did the people of the Old Kingdom mummify their deceased Pharaohs and build pyramids?