Chapter 2

ANCIENT EGYPT

Chapter 2 Section 1 Questions1. The Nile River is the longest river in the world at

__________ miles. 2. How did the Egyptians take advantage of the Nile’s

yearly spring flooding? ___________________3. What type of government did Egypt have after

3100 B.C.? ____________________________4. 4. What shape does the diagram of Egypt’s social

classes look like? ________________________5. In what 2 ways are Mesopotamia & Egypt the

same? _________________ and ______________

Sec. 1 Outcome: Understand the importance of the Nile Valley

• Before – take 1 minute to Skim and Scan Chapter 2 Section 1 and write your prediction about the section.

• During – Take Section 1 Notes, Complete a Graphic Organizer on Irrigation.

• After – 3-2-1 List 3 important facts about the Nile, 2 ways the Egyptians used it, and 1 result of it’s flooding.

Settling the Nile• The earliest Egyptians moved into the

Nile River Valley from less fertile areas of Africa & SW Asia.

• Nile River – Longest river in the world. 4,000 miles long.

• They used the river to drink, clean, farm and cook. They also ate fish from the river.

Settling the Nile• The Nile Valley

is a narrow, green Valley. The Northern end is a very fertile area called a delta.

Settling the Nile• The Sahara, the largest desert in the world,

lies west of the Nile Valley. The Eastern Desert lies to the east of the valley.

• Egypt is protected by several natural borders. The deserts, the Nile, and the marshes of the delta keep enemies from entering.

• Trade was conducted by traveling the Nile River. The Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea allowed trade with other people.

Chapter 2 Section 1: The Nile Valley

The River People: Pages 41 - 42

Regular Flooding How did the Egyptians use the Nile?

What were hieroglyphics?

So what? What is important to understand about this?

Chapter 2 Section 1: The Nile Valley

The River People: Pages 41 - 42

* Flooding was more dependable and gentle.

* Spring – Heavy rains from C. Africa & Melting Snow from E. Africa added to the Nile.

* July – October – The Nile flooded.

* It left behind a layer of dark fertile mud.

* Kemet – “the Black Land”

Regular Flooding How did the Egyptians use the Nile?

What were hieroglyphics?

So what? What is important to understand about this?

Chapter 2 Section 1: The Nile Valley

The River People: Pages 41 - 42

* Flooding was more dependable and gentle.

* Spring – Heavy rains from C. Africa & Melting Snow from E. Africa added to the Nile.

* July – October – The Nile flooded.

* It left behind a layer of dark fertile mud.

* Kemet – “the Black Land”

Regular Flooding

* Planted Wheat, Barley, & Flax seeds.

* Irrigation – dug basins in the earth to trap the floodwater. Also dug canals to carry the water to their fields.

How did the Egyptians use the Nile?

What were hieroglyphics?

So what? What is important to understand about this?

Chapter 2 Section 1: The Nile Valley

The River People: Pages 41 - 42

* Flooding was more dependable and gentle.

* Spring – Heavy rains from C. Africa & Melting Snow from E. Africa added to the Nile.

* July – October – The Nile flooded.

* It left behind a layer of dark fertile mud.

* Kemet – “the Black Land”

Regular Flooding

* Planted Wheat, Barley, & Flax seeds.

* Irrigation – dug basins in the earth to trap the floodwater. Also dug canals to carry the water to their fields.

How did the Egyptians use the Nile?

* Egyptian writing system. It was made up of thousands of picture symbols.

* Few people could read and write. A few men went to a special school to study and become scribes.

What were hieroglyphics?

So what? What is important to understand about this?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Egypt_Hieroglyphe4.jpg

Nile River Irrigation

Nile River Irrigation

Basins trap floodwaters

Nile River Irrigation

Basins trap floodwaters

Dikes strengthen

basins

Nile River Irrigation

Basins trap floodwaters

Canals carry water to fields

Dikes strengthen

basins

Nile River Irrigation

Basins trap floodwaters

Shadoofs used to place water

in basins

Canals carry water to fields

Dikes strengthen

basins

A United Egypt• Because of the large food surplus

some Egyptians became artisans. • Egyptians traded with each

other & other Mesopotamians. • 2 large Kingdoms emerge:

Lower Egypt and Upper Egypt.

A United Egypt• Narmer – united the 2 Kingdoms. Ruled

from Memphis. His descendants passed the ruling power on from father to son to grandson, forming a dynasty.

• Ancient Egypt was ruled by 31 dynasties that historians have grouped into 3 periods.

• Old Kingdom, Middle kingdom, & New Kingdom

Early Egyptian Life• Ancient Egypt Social Class: pg 45• Men were the head of the household,

however women could own and pass on property, buy and sell goods, make wills, and obtain divorces.

• Few children went to school. • Egyptian girls learned to sew, cook, and run

a household. Boys learned farming or a skilled trade.