Ancient Egypt~Nile River Valley Characteristics and Major Achievements

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Ancient EgyptNile River ValleyCharacteristics
and Major Achievements
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1. Why do you suppose the southern region of
Egypt is called Upper Egypt?
A Because it is higher land (Nile River flows
north).
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2 What did Greek historian call the gift of the
Nile?

• A Egyptian civilization
• Importance
• Fresh water
• Fertile soil
• Route for trade/travel

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3 What were the risks of farming near the Nile
River?
A Flood levels were unpredictable some years
floodwater would destroy fields and homes
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4 What did ancient Egyptians do to manage the
Nile River?
A They built canals and strengthened riverbanks
to keep it from overflowing
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5 How did the writing materials of the ancient
Egyptians differ from that of the Mesopatamians?
A Papyrus (from plant)
Cuneiform (clay tablets)
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6 (contd) What problems might be associated
with clay tablets?
A They were heavy, not as easy to write on as
papyrus, they were breakable
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6 What was a pharaoh? Why might King Tutankhamen
be so well known?
A A pharaoh is an Egyptian king King Tuts tomb
was found almost exactly as it had been left
thousands of years before
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7 Why did ancient Egyptians build pyramids?
A Pyramids were built to provide places for
kings to spend the afterlife.
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8 What is hieroglyphics?
A A writing system that uses pictographs to
stand for words or sounds.
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8 (contd) How did the use of hieroglyphics help
Egyptian builders?
A To make lists of workers and supplies they
needed for the project.
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9 How did pharaohs get enough workers to build
the pyramids?
A Every Egyptian family had to help with the
project-either as laborers, or providing food for
the workers.
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10 What beliefs did ancient Egyptians have
about their ruling pharaohs?
A The pharaoh was believed to be the living son
of the sun god, and was linked to the sky god. He
was the main religious figure.
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11 Why was the pharaoh so important to the
Egyptians?
A He was the chief judge, the commander in
chief, he set a religious example to guide the
common people.
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12 How did ancient Egyptians prepare deceased
loved ones for the afterlife?
A They treated their bodies with preservatives,
or mummified them. They also filled their tombs
with items they believed the deceased could use
after death