Year 7 History Egyptian Resource about the
Importance of the Nile River Worksheet
The Nile has existed for millions of years and is still the longest river in the world. Today
the river is vital to the African countries through which it flows. It is beneficial as it provides
people with food, water for agriculture and transport. In Ancient Egypt, the Nile was a major
facilitator of development and helped in the establishment of societies. This worksheet will
take you through some of the ways in which the Nile benefitted Ancient Egyptian society and
allowed it to flourish.
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Year 7 History Egyptian Resource about the Importance of the Nile River Worksheet
Farming
One of the ways in which the Nile
enabled Ancient Egyptians to prosper
was because it allowed farmers to
produce an abundance of crops. The
banks of the Nile were very fertile
because they would flood every
single year. The people referred to
the banks as the ‘Black Land’ because
of the richness of the soil. Therefore,
in Ancient Egypt, these floods were a
vital time of the year. In modern day
Egypt, there is now lots of modern
architecture and infrastructure on
the banks. This has then required the government to build protective dams to prevent the
annual floods from disrupting the lives of the people who live there. However, in Ancient
Egypt, these floods were a vital time of year.
In Ancient Egypt, the year was split into three major cycles: Akhet, Peret and Shemu. Akhet
was a time of great inundation (flooding). No actual farming occurred because the flood
waters would have drowned and swept away any crops. The next cycle was Peret, which
was the perfect time to grow crops because the flood waters receded and left behind rich
soil. Farmers used this time to grow as much as they could. The final cycle was Shemu - a
time for harvesting the crops and repairing canals and reservoirs in preparation for the next
flooding season.
Ancient Egyptian farmers grew a range of crops. Reeds (known as papyrus) also grew along
the banks of the river. These were transformed into paper and boat building materials.
Canals and reservoirs were also designed, enabling them to redirect and store water; this
meant they could later use the water to irrigate their crops.
1. Identify which cycle was considered the worst for growing a crop in Ancient Egypt.
2. Explain how the Nile assisted farmers. Provide two reasons in your explanation.
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Year 7 History Egyptian Resource about the Importance of the Nile River Worksheet
Transport
Without the Nile, Ancient Egyptians would have struggled to establish trade networks with
neighbouring empires. Therefore, the Nile’s ability to facilitate easy transport was another
reason why this river enabled Ancient Egypt to flourish. Ancient Egypt had many stretches
of harsh desert landscape, making travel by land incredibly arduous. Ancient Egyptians
referred to the desert as ‘Red Land’ and it was not considered a desirable place to live. The
river provided a vital channel enabling Ancient Egyptians to use merchant ships and even
large barges to transport goods.
Pharaohs and wealthy Ancient Egyptians also used leisure boats to travel up and down
the river. The river was also a tool used to transport the bodies of royalty to their final
resting places when they had passed away. There was a belief that boats were beneficial
to helping Pharaohs reach the afterlife. Some Pharaohs even had full-sized boats placed
inside their tombs.
3. Explain why the Nile was the easiest method of transportation in Ancient Egypt.
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Year 7 History Egyptian Resource about the Importance of the Nile River Worksheet
Defence
Some features of the Nile also contributed to the success of Ancient Egypt. The river
featured a series of natural cataracts. Cataracts were sections of dangerously shallow water.
These also contained large rocks which served as natural obstacles. Because of this, the river
moved faster in these areas, behaving like rapids.
The perilous nature of the cataracts meant that they acted as natural barriers. People
often had to disembark and drag boats through these sections, which would have slowed
down armies trying to use the river to transport troops to invade Egypt. Pharaohs often
supplemented these natural barriers with actual fortresses. One example of this was the
fortress built around the second cataract in Nubia (an area approximated as territory
belonging to modern day Sudan). This fortress was believed to have been built by Pharaoh
Sensuret II, though there were many other fortresses built between the first and second
Nile cataracts.
The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt wanted to control Nubia because it was rich in luxury goods
including gold. Egypt did not produce its own gold, and therefore looked to the mines of
Nubia to satisfy its demand for such luxuries.
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Year 7 History Egyptian Resource about the Importance of the Nile River Worksheet
The relationship between Nubia and Egypt was tumultuous. There were periods where
Ancient Egypt controlled Nubia, and periods where Nubia held independence. By building
a fortress on the site of the second cataract, Sensuret II was able to capitalise on the ability
of the cataract to slow down boats and supplement this with a physical barrier containing
troops who could check what was being traded. This meant that Ancient Egypt could control
who had access to the riches of Nubia. It also provided Ancient Egypt with the ability to
defend its borders against other neighbouring kingdoms.
Troops were permanently stationed at this fortress and it is thought they led patrols into
the desert to prevent traders from avoiding the fortress and smuggling goods by land. Other
fortresses between the first and second Nile cataracts would have served a similar purpose.
4. Describe the Nile cataracts.
5. Identify one benefit of the Nile cataracts or cataract fortifications for Ancient Egypt.
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Year 7 History Egyptian Resource about the Importance of the Nile River Worksheet
Religious Importance
Ancient Egyptians recognised how important the Nile was and even thought of it as a god,
referring to it as Hapi. Hapi was the god of flooding and inundation and had a variety of
other responsibilities. People worshipped him and prayed ardently for a successful flood.
Khnum and Satet were other gods associated with the Nile. Their responsibility was to guard
the source of the Nile. It was said that every year they ensured that enough silt material
made its way onto the banks of the river. This silt was the reason the banks were so fertile
and people understood its necessity for a successful crop yield. Evidence of deep respect
for these gods can be found in archaeological excavations. Archaeologists have unearthed
reliefs commissioned by Pharaohs such as one which depicts Rameses II offering wine to
Khnum. This relief was originally on public display inside a temple and an artist’s impression
of it can be seen below.
6. Identify why people prayed to Hapi.
7. Explain why Rameses II might have commissioned artwork depicting himself offering
wine to Khnum.
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Year 7 History Egyptian Resource about the Importance of the Nile River Worksheet
Extra Facts
The water of the river also provided
the people with a source of food
because it teemed with fish and other
animals such as crocodiles, which
were utilised for food and medicinal
purposes. Ancient Egyptians also
frequently hunted male hippopotami
in the Nile. Males were considered
to be chaotic creatures who ruined
crops and attacked indiscriminately.
Hunting them was a popular pastime
in which even Pharaohs sometimes
partook. It became a metaphor for the ability of the Pharaoh to conquer chaos and restore
order. Hippopotami were used for food and even ivory. Female Hippopotami were more
respected because they were associated with strong motherly instinct, which is why some
Egyptian goddesses were shown as hippopotami when depicted in art.
Did you know?
The Ancient Egyptians held such deep respect for the Nile that a song was written to
honour the river. Research ‘Hymn to the Nile’ to read a translation of this song written
around 2100 BCE.
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Year 7 History Egyptian Resource about the Importance of the Nile River Worksheet
Final Task
You have now learned all about the importance of the Nile in Ancient Egypt. Based on your
knowledge of this river and its uses, draw a sketch of what you believe the Nile looked like.
Include depictions of as many uses of the river as you can, and remember to add labels and
textboxes to help you explain your sketch.
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