Ancient Egypt~Nile River Valley
Characteristics and Major Achievements
1. Why do you suppose the southern
region of Egypt is called “Upper
Egypt”?
A: Because it is higher land (Nile
River flows north).
2: What did Greek historian call the
“gift of the Nile?”
A: Egyptian civilization
Importance:
•Fresh water
•Fertile soil
•Route for
trade/travel
3: What were the risks of farming
near the Nile River?
A: Flood levels were unpredictable;
some years floodwater would destroy
fields and homes
4: What did ancient Egyptians do to
manage the Nile River?
A: They built canals and strengthened
riverbanks to keep it from overflowing
5: How did the writing materials of
the ancient Egyptians differ from that
of the Mesopatamians?
A: Papyrus
(from plant)
Cuneiform (clay
tablets)
6: (cont’d) What problems might be
associated with clay tablets?
A: They were heavy, not as easy to
write on as papyrus, they were
breakable
6: What was a pharaoh? Why might
King Tutankhamen be so well known?
A: A pharaoh is an Egyptian king
King Tut’s tomb was found almost
exactly as it had been left thousands
of years before
7: Why did ancient Egyptians build
pyramids?
A: Pyramids were built to provide
places for kings to spend the afterlife.
8: What is hieroglyphics?
A: A writing system that uses
pictographs to stand for words or
sounds.
8: (cont’d) How did the use of
hieroglyphics help Egyptian builders?
A: To make lists of workers and supplies
they needed for the project.
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.
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.
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.
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