The Seasons of the World

Ancient Egypt vs. Today

Objectives

1.Identify how both Egyptians and people from New Jersey break up their calendar year according to season.

2. Analyze why each calendar year begins in certain months or on certain days.

3. Explain what happens in each season in Egypt and New Jersey.

Ancient Egypt

Most ancient civilizations had calendars based upon the seasons, or the Sun, or the Moon, or the stars. The Ancient Egyptians had calendars based on all four! And they were all in use at the same time!

The calendars were so important to the Ancient Egyptians that Pharaoh had to swear an oath not to change them.

Seasons of Ancient Egypt

There were three seasons in Ancient Egypt and these depended, like everything else in Egypt, on the Nile River

Flood Planting

Harvest

AkhetJuly 15 – November 15

The Season of Flooding

All the fields were flooded

No farming was done at this time

Many farmers worked for the pharaoh during this season

Building pyramids or temples

During this time irrigation canals were redirected

Trying to bring more water from the Nile to the more arid areas

PeretNovember 15 – March 15

The Season of Planting

This is the season when the Nile receded

Floodwaters left Rich, Black Soil behind

The soil was easy to plow

Full of nutrients

Temperatures were much cooler than other times of the year

Farmers would plant their crops or sow

ShemuMarch 15 – July 15

The Season of Harvest

It was a dry season typically

Crops were cut and gathered

Shemu is summertime for Egyptians

The season where tax collectors came to collect taxes for the Pharaoh

Egyptians would repair canals and dams during this season to prepare for the future flooding

Seasons of New Jersey

The beginning of each new season depends on how much sunlight the Northern Hemisphere is receiving.

Equinox vs. Solstice Equinox: Two times a year when the equator is

lined up with the center of the sun, it creates an equal amount of sunlight and darkness on Earth. (12 hours each)

Solstice: At 12:00 noon, the sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky, causing it to be the longest day (most sunlight 15-20 hours) or the shortest day (least amount of sunlight) of the year.

SummerJune 21st – September 22nd

Summer Solstice: June 21st- Longest Day of the year

Warm and Hot Weather

End of summer is mainly when crops are harvested

Schools Out

AutumnSeptember 22nd – December 21st

Autumn Equinox: September 22nd- Equal sunlight and darkness

Leaves change colors and fall off the trees

Temperature drops

WinterDecember 21st – March 21st

Winter Solstice: December 21st- Shortest day of the year

Coldest weather of the year

Animals hibernate or migrate

Plant life is dead or not growing

SpringMarch 21st – June 21st

Spring Equinox: March 21st- Equal sunlight and darkness

Animals are born

Plants come back to life

Crops can be planted