Station 1: Hieroglyphics 10 minutes

Ancient Egyptians wrote using a system of hieroglyphics. Hieroglyphics are pictures that symbolize letters or ideas.

Using the hieroglyphic key below, you are to decode the message on the next page. The message is front and back.

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ .

C

_____ _____ _______ _____ _____ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______

______ ______ ______ ______ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ .

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ ______

_____ _____ _____ _____ ______ ______ ______ ______

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ ____ _____ _____

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

_____ _____ _____ _____ .

Answer the following question: What are the various ways writing is used in society? Which parts of society would be literate?

Station 2: Nile River10 minutes

Directions: The map below is of Egypt. The river running through Egypt is called the Nile. Using the map below, answer the questions on the second page.

Aswan, Egypt

1. The Nile is the world’s longest river, -- 4,160 miles. If we consider the southern boundary of Ancient Egypt to be at Aswan (the first cataract, or rapids in the water), roughly how many miles of the Nile are actually in Egypt?__________________________________________

2. Why is the delta region to the north called “Lower Egypt”? (Hint: consider the way the water must be following for the delta to form) (Hint #2: Think back to our lesson on deposition!)____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Given the geography of this area, do you think Egypt was vulnerable to foreign invaders? Explain your thinking in complete sentences.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. The map is a satellite image from space – what does the darker area closest to the Nile River indicate? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Knowing that the area closest to the river was the most fertile (easiest to farm), what conclusions can you make about where people lived in relation to the Nile? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Do you think most of the farming done in West or East Egypt? Why?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Station 3: Mummification and the After-life in Ancient Egypt10 minutes

Directions: Read the expert from the ancient Egyptians’ Book of the Dead. The selection you will be reading is known as the “Declaration of Innocence,” it is claiming that the dead person has done no wrong in their life and should be allowed to travel peacefully through the after-life (it is like asking for forgiveness). This selection was to be read by the dead person immediately after their death, before entering the Hall of Justice were funerals were conducted. The underlined words are names of Egyptian gods and mythical places. Answer the questions that follow the selection.

Here are some vocabulary words to help you: rapacious: extremely greedy and aggressive sullen: gloomy, dull, or somber transgressed: sinned perjury: lying

The Book of the Dead

Declaration of Innocence Before the Gods of the Tribunal

Hail Far-strider who came forth from Heliopolis, I have done no falsehood.

Hail Fire-embracer who came forth from Kheraha, I have not robbed.

Hail Nosey who came forth from Hermopolis, I have not been rapacious.

Hail Swallower of shades who came forth from the cavern, I have not stolen.

Hail Dangerous One who came forth from Rosetjau, I have not killed men.

Hail Double Lion who came forth from the sky, I have not destroyed food-supplies.

Hail Fiery Eyes who came forth from Letopolis, I have done no crookedness.

Hail Flame which came forth backwards, I have not stolen the god’s offerings.

Hail Bone-breaker who came forth from Heracleopolis, I have not told lies.

Hail Green of Flame who came forth from Memphis, I have no taken food.

Hail You of the cavern who came forth from the West, I have not been sullen.

Hail White of teeth who came forth from the Faiyum, I have not transgressed.

Hail Blood-eater who came forth from the shambles, I have not killed a sacred bull.

Hail Eater of entrails who came forth from the House of Thirty, I have not committed perjury.

Hail Lord of Truth who came forth from Maaty, I have not stolen bread.

1. Name at least five things that a dead person had to promise upon entering the Hall of Justice shortly after death.

2. Why do you think this text was an important part of the Book of the Dead?

3. Does it remind you of any other text or religion?

4. Remember that the Book of the Dead served mainly to protect and provide for the dead. In what way do you think this chapter might have done this? In other words, why do you think this chapter was written?

Station 4: Pyramids and gods10 minutes

Directions: Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

Ancient Egyptians referred to their king as a pharaoh. What follows is a description of the role of a pharaoh, found on a tomb:

“[A pharaoh] is a god by whose dealings one lives, the father and mother of all... without an equal.”

1. Based on the quotation, what did ancient Egyptians believe made the pharaoh such a special person?________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

Ancient Egyptian pharaohs, or god-kings, had workers build huge pyramids to serve as tombs. Egyptians believed that their kings could take their possessions with them after death. As a result, pharaohs were buried with their possessions. Below is a diagram of a pyramid.

2. Where was the king’s (pharaoh’s) chamber located?________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

3. Why do you think a temple was included?________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

Hatshepsut was a woman who took the role of pharaoh. She was the daughter of a pharaoh and also was married to a pharaoh. Hatshepsut took control when her husband died. Because Egyptians believed that only men could be kings, Hatshepsut is often portrayed wearing male clothes and a beard, and she is described with a male pronoun. She took control by saying that the sun god Ra was her real father. A description in the temple read:

4. Identify and explain two phrases in the quote that would convince people that Hatshepsut, a woman, was meant to rule.

_____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________