1. Ch. 2 Vocabulary: Ancient Egypt

2. 1. cataract – steep rapids formed by cliffs and boulders in the river.
2. delta – an area of fertile soil deposited at the mouth of a river.
3. shadoof – a water wheel used to lift water from the river for irrigation
4. papyrus – reed plant of the Nile Valley used to make a form of paper.

3. 5. hieroglyphics – system of writing made up picture symbols developed by the ancient Egyptians.
6. dynasty – a line of rulers from the same family.
7. pharaoh – an all powerful king in ancient Egypt.
8. deity – gods or goddesses.

4. 9. The Book of the Dead – a collection of spells and prayers that Egyptians studied to obtain life after death.
10. Narmer – King who led his armies to unite Upper and Lower Egypt.
11. embalming – a process of preserving a person’s body after death.
12. canoptic jars - Pottery containers used to store the organs removed before mummification.
13. mummy – a body that has been embalmed and wrapped in linen through a process invented by the Egyptians.

5. 14. sarcophagus - stone coffin made to hold the body of a important person.
15. pyramid - huge stone structure built by the ancient Egyptians to serve as a tomb.
16. tribute – forced payments made by one group or nation to another to show obedience or to obtain peace or protection.
17. incense – a material burned for its pleasant smell.

6. 18. savannas – grassy plains that stretch across Africa south of the Sahara.
19. Sahara - largest desert in the world.
20. Giza – area on the west bank
of the Nile which is the
location of the Great Pyramid.

7. The End