The Middle Kingdom
In this lesson, students will identify
characteristics of the Middle Kingdom, a
period of ancient Egyptian history.
Students will be able to define or
summarize the following terms and
concepts:
Middle Kingdom
Differences between the Old Kingdom and
the Middle Kingdom
Hyksos
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Around 2040 B.C., a new dynasty
of powerful Pharaohs reunited Egypt
after the collapse of the Old Kingdom.
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A pharaoh was a divine ruler of ancient
Egypt. The Egyptians believed that
a pharaoh was godlike.
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Differences Between the Old
Kingdom and the Middle Kingdom
There were several important differences
between the Old Kingdom and the
Middle Kingdom:
*During the Middle Kingdom, pharaohs
shared power with other officials.
*People of the Middle Kingdom mummified
everyone.
*Pharaohs were not buried in pyramids in
the Middle Kingdom.
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During the Middle Kingdom, ancient
Egyptians believed that all people
experienced life after death.
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During the Middle Kingdom, the ancient
Egyptians mummified all of the dead for
the afterlife.
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Mummification
• A dead person needed his body to get to
the afterlife.
• If the body was properly preserved, the
spirit would reenter the body and bring it to
life in the next world.
• Depending on an ancient Egyptian’s social
status, the process of mummification could
be elaborate or simple.
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When a person was mummified, the
organs were removed and carefully
preserved but the brain was thrown away.
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The ancient Egyptians believed that the
heart was the seat of the soul.
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Interesting Facts About
Mummification
• The brain was taken out through the nose.
• Embalmers did not want to damage the
face.
• Masks were placed over the heads of
mummies to ensure that spirits could
recognize their bodies.
• Natron was used to dry the body out and
preserve it.
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The people of the Middle Kingdom did
not bury pharaohs in pyramids.
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Around 1630 B.C., the Hyksos invaded
and defeated the Middle Kingdom.
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The Hyksos
• The Hyksos were nomads from Southwest
Asia.
• The Hyksos had superior weapons. They
introduced the horse-drawn chariot.
• The Hyksos could make iron. They had
superior technology.
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Questions for Reflection:
• List three significant differences between
the Old Kingdom and the Middle Kingdom.
• Why did Middle Kingdom people mummify
everyone?
• Describe the process of mummification.
• Who were the Hyksos?
• Why were the Hyksos able to defeat the
people of the Middle Kingdom?
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