Early River Valley Civilizations: Egypt

Location: Location: Highlands of East Africa Location: Highlands of East Africa

Major River: Nile River “Gift of the Nile” “Gift of the Nile” -each year the Nile floods leaving behind rich resources (silt) which aid in farming -each year the Nile floods leaving behind rich resources (silt) which aid in farming - unlike Tigris and Euphrates- Nile floods like clockwork (yearly) - unlike Tigris and Euphrates- Nile floods like clockwork (yearly)

Problems Faced: desert surrounds Nile  leads to isolation desert surrounds Nile  leads to isolation How much would Nile flood?  Where to live? How much would Nile flood?  Where to live?

Religion: Polytheistic Polytheistic

Rulers: Pharohs  considered Gods Pharohs  considered Gods Known as a Theocracy Known as a Theocracy

Science and Technology: Pyramids Pyramids

Mummification Used to Preserve Body from decay Used to Preserve Body from decay

Writing System: Hieroglyphics

The Rosetta Stone: Key to understanding hieroglyphics -Found in 1799 by the French -Took 23 years to crack code

Papyrus A first form of paper A first form of paper Something they could write on other than stone or clay Something they could write on other than stone or clay

Calendars  365 day calendar (to keep track of flooding of Nile) learned this by watching stars  365 day calendar (to keep track of flooding of Nile) learned this by watching stars