Arts & Humanities
Unit Title: Ancient Lineage-Based Cultures
Length: Three Weeks (11 August – 3 September)
Project (2):
1.
Create an original story using hieroglyphs, cuneiform, or pictographs done in a style
reminiscent of Mesopotamian, European, or Egyptian cultures. Must be in color.
2. Create a totem of five animals that explain you as a person. Must be done in either African
or Native American style and in color. (To be shown to class.)
Weekly Focus
11 August
“Beginnings”
15 August
“The Cave of
Lascaux and
The Fertile
Crescent
22 August
Egypt
29 August
African &
Native
American
Cultures
Learning Target
I can understand why arts &
humanities are important
enough to be studied.
I can identify specific
viewpoints found uniquely
within the Fertile Crescent
cultures and those that
influenced both other ancient
cultures and current culture.
I can identify specific
viewpoints found uniquely
within the Egyptian culture and
those that influenced both
other ancient cultures and
current culture.
I can identify specific
viewpoints found uniquely
within the African and Native
American cultures and those
that influenced both other
ancient cultures and current
culture.
Assignments and Readings
 Read & Discuss: Arts & Humanities Syllabus/ Unit Plan
 Discuss: Humanities Overview
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
Take Notes: Ancient, Lineage-Based Cultures Power Point
Read: “Life, Death and Destiny in Mesopotamia” (p. 35)
Read: The Epic of Gilgamesh (Sumerian Flood Story)
Read: Genesis 6-8 (The Great Flood)
Discussion: SEE It Through: Similarities/ Differences
Between Flood Stories
Read: “The Code of Hammurabi” (pp. 10-12)
Take Notes: Ancient, Lineage-Based Cultures Power Point
Read: “The Book of the Dead” (pp. 13-15)
Read: “The Great Pyramids”
 Read: Native American/ African Totem Animal
Descriptions
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UNIT TEST

Cave of Lascaux
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African Cultures
•
Call-and-Response Music/
•
Animalism/ Masks
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Native Americans
•
Art
•
Animalism/ Masks/ Totems
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Egyptian Culture
•
The Book of the Dead
•
The Pyramids
•
Hieroglyphs
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The Fertile Crescent Cultures
•
The Code of Hammurabi
•
Gilgamesh
•
Cuneiform
Why Study Arts & Humanities?
The humanities are academic disciplines that study the human condition, and are usually
distinguished from the mainly empirical approaches of the natural sciences. (We see this division
more in college, when all undergraduate degrees are split into Bas—or Bachelor of Arts—and BSs—
Bachelor of Science.)
The humanities include ancient and modern languages, literature, history, philosophy, religion, and
visual and performing arts such as music and theatre. However, for the purpose of this class, we
break humanities down into the following seven categories:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Art
Music
Drama
Dance
Literature
Religion
Philosophy
In the West, the study of the humanities can be traced to ancient Greece, as the basis of a broad
education for citizens. During Roman times, the concept of the seven liberal arts evolved, involving
grammar, rhetoric and logic (the trivium), along with arithmetic, geometry, astronomy and music
(the quadrivium).
So studying this stuff has been around a lot longer than any of us, right?
But why do we study it? What is its purpose?
One answer is cultural capital.
Cultural Capital
The term capital is usually associated with money and profit. It’s straight economics and not
something anyone ever confused with the arts. However, the concept of cultural capital is an
attempt to expand the category of capital to something more than just the economic and to
identify culture as a form of capital.
Cultural capital, like its economic cousin, requires an investment and can secure a return on that
investment.
Certain experts in education have theorized that no matter how gifted a student, no matter
intelligent, the inability to socialize with upper level society perpetuates a continual inequality.
That is, it doesn’t matter how smart you are or what you know— if you don’t know what the upper
crust finds as valuable, you’ll always be considered second class.
I can hear your thoughts right now: I don’t care what they think! Why do I have to know all this
crap I won’t need anyhow?
My response is this: you don’t yet know what you’re going to be. And, believe it or not, the state of
Kentucky, in all of its infinite wisdom, believes that you can better communicate with (and stand toe
to toe intellectually with) anyone after having taken this class.
You do this through cultural capital. Want to be accepted as a valued member of upper crust
society? Talk about things they hold as valuable. Perhaps it’s the Impressionist piece of art your
prospective father-in-law just bought for $330 million. Maybe it’s the ballet your boss takes his
daughter to each year at Christmas.
Teaching you the basics of culture can help put each of you on equal footing with anyone.
But that’s not the only reason.
The Human Condition
Humanities also seeks to understand the human condition. That is, those things that make us all
uniquely and wonderfully human.
All human beings dance, act, sing, pray, philosophize, write. From the time of our first words, we
tell stories. We dance. We believe.
By learning the arts, we also learn about ourselves. We find songs that speak to us personally. We
find dances we like, philosophies to discuss, religions to study and perhaps to practice.
The arts can bring us out of our own shells. Or send us into an introspective cocoon that protects
from others who choose not to think. By learning more about others, we learn more about
ourselves.
Studying these common aspects of all human beings, then, should also bring us to a better
understanding not just of ourselves, but of our neighbors as well. This, in turn, should also teach us
a level of respect inherent in other cultures and people.
The arts have served to connect our imagination with the history of human existence. Studying
civilization and creative expression throughout history and across cultures enables students to
experience diversity and is multiculturalism in practice.
Genesis Chapters 6-8
Chapter 6
1 When men began to multiply on the face of the ground, and daughters were born to them, 2 the
sons of God saw that the daughters of men were fair; and they took to wife such of them as they
chose. 3 Then the LORD said, "My spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh, but his days
shall be a hundred and twenty years." 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also
afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them.
These were the mighty men that were of old, the men of renown.
5 The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of
the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the LORD was sorry that he had made man
on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. 7 So the LORD said, "I will blot out man whom I have
created from the face of the ground, man and beast and creeping things and birds of the air, for I
am sorry that I have made them." 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
9 These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah
walked with God. 10 And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
11 Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God saw
the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth. 13 And
God said to Noah, "I have determined to make an end of all flesh; for the earth is filled with
violence through them; behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 Make yourself an ark of
gopher wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. 15 This is how you are to
make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, its breadth fifty cubits, and its height thirty
cubits. 16 Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above; and set the door of the ark in its
side; make it with lower, second, and third decks. 17 For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon
the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life from under heaven; everything that is
on the earth shall die. 18 But I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall come into the ark,
you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you. 19 And of every living thing of all flesh, you
shall bring two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and
female. 20 Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of
every creeping thing of the ground according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you, to
keep them alive. 21 Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up; and it shall
serve as food for you and for them." 22 Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.
Chapter 7
1 Then the LORD said to Noah, "Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that
you are righteous before me in this generation. 2 Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the
male and his mate; and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and his mate; 3 and seven
pairs of the birds of the air also, male and female, to keep their kind alive upon the face of all the
earth. 4 For in seven days I will send rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every
living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground." 5 And Noah did all that
the LORD had commanded him.
6 Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters came upon the earth. 7 And Noah and
his sons and his wife and his sons' wives with him went into the ark, to escape the waters of the
flood. 8 Of clean animals, and of animals that are not clean, and of birds, and of everything that
creeps on the ground, 9 two and two, male and female, went into the ark with Noah, as God had
commanded Noah. 10 And after seven days the waters of the flood came upon the earth.
11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the
month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens
were opened. 12 And rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights. 13 On the very same day
Noah and his sons, Shem and Ham and Japheth, and Noah's wife and the three wives of his sons
with them entered the ark, 14 they and every beast according to its kind, and all the cattle
according to their kinds, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth according to its kind,
and every bird according to its kind, every bird of every sort. 15 They went into the ark with Noah,
two and two of all flesh in which there was the breath of life. 16 And they that entered, male and
female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the LORD shut him in.
17 The flood continued forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bore up the ark,
and it rose high above the earth. 18 The waters prevailed and increased greatly upon the earth; and
the ark floated on the face of the waters. 19 And the waters prevailed so mightily upon the earth
that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered; 20 the waters prevailed above
the mountains, covering them fifteen cubits deep. 21 And all flesh died that moved upon the earth,
birds, cattle, beasts, all swarming creatures that swarm upon the earth, and every man; 22
everything on the dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died. 23 He blotted out every
living thing that was upon the face of the ground, man and animals and creeping things and birds of
the air; they were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those that were with him in
the ark. 24 And the waters prevailed upon the earth a hundred and fifty days.
Chapter 8
1 But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the cattle that were with him in the ark. And
God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided; 2 the fountains of the deep and the
windows of the heavens were closed, the rain from the heavens was restrained, 3 and the waters
receded from the earth continually. At the end of a hundred and fifty days the waters had abated;
4 and in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark came to rest upon the
mountains of Ar'arat. 5 And the waters continued to abate until the tenth month; in the tenth
month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains were seen.
6 At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made, 7 and sent forth
a raven; and it went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. 8 Then he sent forth
a dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground; 9 but the dove
found no place to set her foot, and she returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the
face of the whole earth. So he put forth his hand and took her and brought her into the ark with
him. 10 He waited another seven days, and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark; 11 and the
dove came back to him in the evening, and lo, in her mouth a freshly plucked olive leaf; so Noah knew
that the waters had subsided from the earth. 12 Then he waited another seven days, and sent
forth the dove; and she did not return to him anymore.
13 In the six hundred and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters
were dried from off the earth; and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and behold,
the face of the ground was dry. 14 In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month,
the earth was dry. 15 Then God said to Noah, 16 "Go forth from the ark, you and your wife, and
your sons and your sons' wives with you. 17 Bring forth with you every living thing that is with you
of all flesh--birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth--that they may
breed abundantly on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply upon the earth." 18 So Noah went forth,
and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives with him. 19 And every beast, every creeping thing, and
every bird, everything that moves upon the earth, went forth by families out of the ark.
20 Then Noah built an altar to the LORD, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird,
and offered burnt offerings on the altar. 21 And when the LORD smelled the pleasing odor, the
LORD said in his heart, "I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the imagination of
man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I ever again destroy every living creature as I have
done. 22 While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and
night, shall not cease."
Sumerian Flood Story
This account of a great flood is from Tablet 11 of the Epic of Gilgamesh
[1] Gilgameš spoke to Ut-napištim, the Faraway:
"I have been looking at you,
but your appearance is not strange - you are like me!
You yourself are not different - you are like me!
My mind was resolved to fight with you,
but instead my arm lies useless over you.
Tell me,
how is it that you stand in the Assembly of the Gods, and have found life?"
[8] Ut-napištim spoke to Gilgameš, saying:
"I will reveal to you, Gilgameš, a thing that is hidden,
a secret of the gods I will tell you!
Šuruppak, a city that you surely know,
situated on the banks of the Euphrates,
that city was very old, and there were gods inside it.
[14] The hearts of the Great Gods moved them to inflict the Flood.
Their Father Anu uttered the oath,
Valiant Enlil was their Adviser,
Ninurta was their Chamberlain,
Ennugi was their Minister of Canals.
[19] Ea, the Prince, was under oath with them
so he repeated their talk to the reed house:
'Reed house, reed house! Wall, wall!
O man of Šuruppak, son of Ubar-Tutu [i.e., Ut-napištim]
Tear down the house and build a boat!
Abandon wealth and seek living beings!
Spurn possessions and keep alive living beings!
Make [the seed of] all living beings go up into the boat.
The boat which you are to build,
its dimensions must measure equal to each other:
its length must correspond to its width.
Roof it over like the Apsu.' [i.e., the firmament in the primordial waters]
[32] I understood and spoke to my lord, Ea:
'My lord, thus is the command which you have uttered
I will heed and will do it.
But what shall I answer the city, the populace, and the Elders?'
[36] Ea spoke, commanding me, his servant:
'You, well then, this is what you must say to them:
"It appears that Enlil is rejecting me
so I cannot reside in your city,
nor set foot on Enlil's earth.
I will go down to the Apsu to live with my lord, Ea,
and upon you he will rain down abundance,
a profusion of fowl, myriad fishes
He will bring to you a harvest of wealth,
in the morning he will let loaves of bread shower down,
and in the evening a rain of wheat!"'
[48] Just as dawn began to glow
the people assembled around me.
The carpenter carried his hatchet,
the reedworker carried his flattening stone,
[two lines destroyed]
[54] The child carried the pitch,
the weak brought whatever else was needed.
On the fifth day I had laid out her exterior.
It was a field in area,
its walls were each 10 times 12 cubits in height,
the sides of its top were of equal length, 10 times 12 cubits each.
[58] Then I designed its interior structure as follows:
I provided it with six decks,
thus dividing it into seven levels.
The inside of it I divided into nine compartments.
I drove plugs to keep out water in its middle part.
I saw to the punting poles and laid in what was necessary.
[65] Three times 3,600 units of raw bitumen I poured into the bitumen kiln,
three times 3,600 units of pitch [...] into it,
there were three times 3,600 porters of casks who carried vegetable oil.
Apart from the 3,600 units of oil for the dedication,
the boatsman stored away two times 3,600 units of oil.
[70] I butchered oxen for the carpenters,
and day upon day I slaughtered sheep.
I gave the workmen beer, ale, oil, and wine,
as if it were river water,
and they made a party like the New Year's Festival!
[75] I set my hand to the finishing of the ship.
The boat was finished by sunset.
The launching was very difficult:
They had to keep carrying a runway of poles front to back,
until two-thirds of it had gone under water.
[80] Whatever I had I loaded on it:
whatever silver I had I loaded on it,
whatever gold I had I loaded on it.
All the living beings that I had I loaded on it,
I had all my kith and kin go up into the boat,
all the beasts and animals of the field and the craftsmen I had go up.
[87] [The sun god] Šamaš had set a stated time:
'In the morning I will let loaves of bread shower down,
and in the evening a rain of wheat!
Go inside the boat, seal the entry!'
[89] That stated time had arrived.
In the morning he let loaves of bread shower down,
and in the evening a rain of wheat.
I watched the appearance of the weather:
the weather was frightful to behold!
[93] I went into the boat and sealed the entry.
For the caulking of the boat, to Puzur-Amurri, the boatman,
I gave the palace together with its contents.
[96] Just as dawn began to glow
there arose from the horizon a black cloud.
[the storm god] Adad rumbled inside of it,
before him went Šhullat and Haniš [Sack and Suppression],
heralds going over mountain and land.
[101] [The god of destruction] Erragal pulled out the mooring poles,
forth went [the war god] Ninurta and made the dikes overflow.
[103] The gods lifted up the torches,
setting the land ablaze with their flare.
[105] Stunned shock over Adad's deeds overtook the heavens,
and turned to blackness all that had been light.
He shattered the land like a raging bull, broke it into pieces like a pot.
[108] All day long the South Wind blew,
blowing fast - and then the Flood came,
overwhelming the people like an attack.
[111] No one could see his fellow,
they could not recognize each other in the torrent.
[113] Even the gods were frightened by the Flood,
and retreated, ascending to the heaven of Anu.
The gods were cowering like dogs, crouching by the outer wall.
[116] Ištar shrieked like a woman in childbirth,
the sweet-voiced Mistress of the Gods wailed:
'The olden days have alas turned to clay,
because I said evil things in the Assembly of the Gods!
How could I say evil things in the Assembly of the Gods,
ordering a catastrophe to destroy my people?
No sooner have I given birth to my dear people
than they fill the sea like so many fish!'
[124] The gods -those of the Anunnaki- were weeping with her,
the gods humbly sat weeping, sobbing with grief,
their lips burning, parched with thirst.
Six days and seven nights
came the wind and flood,
the storm flattening the land.
[129] When the seventh day arrived,
the storm was pounding.
She who had been struggling with itself like a woman writhing in labor,
the sea, calmed; the whirlwind fell still; the flood stopped.
[133] I looked around all day long - quiet had set in
and all the human beings had turned to clay!
The terrain was as flat as a roof.
[136] I opened a vent and daylight fell upon my cheek.
I fell to my knees and sat weeping,
tears streaming down my cheeks.
I looked around for coastlines in the expanse of the sea,
and at twelve leagues there emerged a region of land.
[141] On Mount Nimuš the boat lodged firm,
Mount Nimuš held the boat, allowing no sway.
One day and a second Mount Nimuš held the boat, allowing no sway.
A third day, a fourth, Mount Nimuš held the boat, allowing no sway.
A fifth day, a sixth, Mount Nimuš held the boat, allowing no sway.
[146] When a seventh day arrived
I sent forth a dove and released it.
The dove went off, but came back to me;
no perch was visible so it circled back to me.
[150] I sent forth a swallow and released it.
The swallow went off, but came back to me;
no perch was visible so it circled back to me.
[153] I sent forth a raven and released it.
The raven went off, and saw the waters slither back.
It eats, it scratches, it bobs, but does not circle back to me.
[156] I sacrificed: I offered a libation to the four corners of the world,
I burned incense in front of the rising mountain.
Seven and seven cult vessels I put in place,
and into the bowls I poured [the oil of] reeds, cedar, and myrtle.
[160] The gods smelled the savor,
the gods smelled the sweet savor,
and collected like flies over a sacrifice.
Just then the Mistress of the Gods arrived.
She lifted up the large fly-shaped beads which Anu had made for their engagement:
'You gods, as surely as I shall not forget this lapis lazuli around my neck,
may I be mindful of these days, and never forget them!
The gods may come to the incense offering,
but Enlil may not come to the incense offering,
because without considering he brought about the Flood
and consigned my people to annihilation.'
[171] Just then Enlil arrived.
He saw the boat and became furious,
he was filled with rage at the Igigi gods:
'Where did a living being escape?
No man was to survive the annihilation!'
[176] Ninurta spoke to Valiant Enlil, saying:
'Who else but Ea could devise such a thing?
It is Ea who knows every machination!'
[180] Ea spoke to Valiant Enlil, saying:
'It is yours, O Valiant One, who is the Sage of the Gods.
How, how could you bring about a Flood without consideration
Charge the violation to the violator,
charge the offense to the offender,
but be compassionate lest (mankind) be cut off,
be patient lest they be killed.
[187] Instead of your bringing on the Flood,
would that a lion had appeared to diminish the people!
Instead of your bringing on the Flood,
would that a wolf had appeared to diminish the people!
Instead of your bringing on the Flood,
would that famine had occurred to slay the land!
Instead of your bringing on the Flood,
would that Pestilent Erra had appeared to ravage the land!
[196] It was not I who revealed the secret of the Great Gods,
I only made a dream appear to Atrahasis, and thus he heard our secret.
Now then! The deliberation should be about him!'
[198] Enlil went up inside the boat
and, grasping my hand, made me go up.
He had my wife go up and kneel by my side.
He touched our forehead and, standing between us, he blessed us:
[202] 'Previously Ut-napištim was a human being.
But now let Ut-napištim and his wife become like us, the gods!
Let Ut-napištim reside far away, at the Mouth of the Rivers.'
[205] They took us far away and settled us at the Mouth of the Rivers.
[To Gilgameš] Now then, who will convene the gods on your behalf,
that you may find the life that you are seeking!
Wait! You must not lie down for six days and seven nights."
[209] Soon as Gilgameš sat down (with his head) between his legs
sleep, like a fog, blew upon him.
Ut-napištim said to his wife:
"Look there! The man, the youth who wanted (eternal) life!
Sleep, like a fog, blew over him."
Activities and Questions to Consider
1. Obviously, these two stories are similar and likely describe the same event. In a group of
three or less, quickly come up with ten or more similarities. What can you infer from these
stories?
2. How are the Mesopotamian gods portrayed in this story? The Hebrew God?
Comparing the stories of The Great Floods
In both the Genesis and Gilgamesh stories:

The Genesis story describes how mankind had become obnoxious to God; they were
hopelessly sinful and wicked. In the Babylonian story, they were too numerous and noisy.
o
The Gods (or God) decided to send a worldwide flood. This would drown men,
women, children, babies and infants, as well as eliminate all of the land animals and
birds.

The Gods (or God) knew of one righteous man: Ut-Napishtim or Noah.

The Gods (or God) ordered the hero to build a multi-story wooden ark (called a chest or box
in the original Hebrew).
o


The hero initially complained about the assignment to build the boat
The ark would:
o
be sealed with pitch.
o
The ark would have with many internal compartments
o
It would have a single door
o
It would have at least one window.
The ark was built and loaded with the hero, a few other humans, and samples from all
species of other land animals.

A great rain covered the land with water.
o
The mountains were initially covered with water.

The ark landed on a mountain in the Middle East.

The hero sent out birds at regular intervals to find if any dry land was in the vicinity.
o
The first two birds returned to the ark. The third bird apparently found dry land
because it did not return.

The hero and his family left the ark, ritually killed an animal, and offered it as a sacrifice.
o
God (or the Gods in the Epic of Gilgamesh) smelled the roasted meat of the
sacrifice.
o

The hero was blessed.
The Babylonian gods seemed genuinely sorry for the genocide that they had created. The
God of Noah appears to have regretted his actions as well, because he promised never to do
it again.
There were a number of differences between the two stories:

Noah received his instructions directly from Jehovah; Ut-Napishtim received them
indirectly during a dream.

Noah's ark was 3 stories high and rectangular in shape. Two estimated dimensions are 547 x
91 ft. and 450 x 75 ft. The Babylonian ark was 6 stories high and square.

Ut-Napishtim invited additional people on board: a pilot and some skilled workmen.

Noah's ark landed on Mt. Ararat; Ut-Napishtim'sat on Mt. Nisir; these locations are both in
the Middle East, and are located few hundred miles apart

In the Bible, some of the water emerged from beneath the earth. And the rains from above
lasted for 40 days and nights. A 40 day interval often symbolized a period of judgment in
the Hebrew Scriptures. 2 In the Babylonian account, the water came only in the form of
rain, and lasted only 6 days.

Noah released a raven once and a dove twice; Ut-Napishtim released three birds: a dove,
swallow and raven.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/noah_com.htm
The Great Pyramids
When people talk about Egyptian pyramids the ones that spring to mind are the pyramids of Giza.
Of these, the largest is known as the Great Pyramid, or the Pyramid of Khufu. Who built it and
why?
The largest—and the most impressive—was built by King Khufu, otherwise known as King Cheops
(pronounced as Key ops). He was called Cheops by the Greeks. His pyramid was the first one to be
built at Giza and, being the largest, is known as the Great Pyramid. It was built in about 2,500 B.C.
(about 4,500 years ago). It covers an area of 13 acres. Each side is 756 ft long (give or take an inch
or two). It was originally 481 ft tall, but has been eroded by sand and wind, and now stands slightly
shorter. That makes it about the same height as a forty-story building.
The pyramid was built as a tomb for the King (or Pharaoh as he was known then). He wanted to have
a bigger and better tomb than any of his ancestors, so he asked the best architects in the land to
design one for him. In those days, as soon as someone became a Pharaoh they started planning their
funeral. It seems odd to us today, but for them the funeral was the most important part of their
lives (or actually, to be more precise, their deaths!) King Khufu reigned for 23 years, and the
pyramid was completed in his lifetime. No one is sure exactly how long it took to build, they are only
sure that it took less than 23 years.
Designing the Pyramid
For years the Egyptians built their tombs underground, with a large flat building above them. They
looked very much like a large bench. The Ancient Egyptians were very vain, and were always trying
to out-do everyone else. Someone decided that the bench tombs were plain and boring, so they
started to build bigger and grander tombs. These tombs were the very first Egyptian pyramids.
Instead of building an underground tomb with one bench on top, they put a series of benches on top,
each one smaller than the previous one. It was called a step pyramid. The most famous one isn't far
from the Great Pyramid of Giza, in a place called Saqqara.
From the step pyramid came the true pyramid, like the ones at Giza, made by flattening the sides
of the step pyramid, so that there was a gradual slope to the side, rather than the giant steps.
A step pyramid, found in Saqqara.
Building the Pyramid
Once a tomb had been designed, the next step was to choose a site for it. It couldn't be just
anywhere, so the priests and important people would decide on an auspicious site (just a fancy way
of saying lucky). Most of the Pharaoh's tombs are built on the West side of the Nile, since the sun
sets in the West. They believed that you traveled to a New World after you died, and since you
traveled towards the darkness, if you started out where the sun set you wouldn't have as far to go.
The first thing that needed to be done was to clear the sand away until they reached rock beneath
the desert. Then the rock had to be flattened out so that the pyramid would be level. Next they
marked the area that would be the base of the pyramid, with one side facing each of the main
compass points (north, south east and west). This might all sound fairly simple so far, but you have
to remember that everything was done by hand; no jackhammers or earthmovers were around in
those days. The Ancient Egyptians didn't have compasses either, but knew the direction by
watching the sun and the stars.
Next they needed to get the stones. Some were cut from hills nearby and others were taken from
the other side of the Nile. They also took granite and marble from Aswan, in the South of Egypt, to
build a cover for the pyramid. Each stone was cut very precisely, and weighed between 21/2 and 5
tons. To build the pyramid they used 2,300,000 blocks of stone. If it took them the whole 23 years
to build, that was 273 stones that they had to cut and move every day.
The stones were transported to the site on wooden sledges on the land, and barges on the river.
The river could only be used when it was flooded, which happened twice a year.
Once the stones reached the site they were smoothed to fit exactly with the surrounding ones.
They didn't use mortar or cement to build the pyramid; they just cut the stones so perfectly that
they fitted onto each other. Even after all these years, they fit so perfectly together that it is
impossible to slide a sheet of paper between most of them.
We really aren't sure how the stones were lifted into place. There were no machines, and the
Egyptians didn't have pulleys. The most likely theory is that they built ramps up the side of the
pyramid, and dragged the stones on sledges up the ramps. As the building got higher they made the
ramps higher and longer. If they didn't make them longer the slope would have been too steep to
drag the stones up. Once the entire pyramid was built, the workmen covered it with marble, to give
it a smooth and beautiful finish.
Native American Totem Animals
Shamanic traditions suggest that we are assisted throughout our lives by the essence of various
animals. These are often called Spirit Guardians, Totem Animals or Power Animals.
A Power Animal assists you by giving you strength, guidance and protection. A Power Animal is
always friendly and helpful.

Bear - Hibernation is a key attribute of the bear. Having a bear as your power animal
indicates the need to go within yourself - to withdraw from the world to find your answers.
Your dream time is extremely important.

Buffalo - The buffalo is the most sacred animal in Native American traditions. It
represents the Great Spirit manifested. Having this as your power animal indicates the
importance of sharing and caring for all.

Butterfly - The butterfly represents transformation and the ability to accept change.

Cougar - This mountain lion provides the power of leadership and encourages you to take
responsibility for your life.

Cow - The cow is a symbol of motherhood and nourishment. It is also a symbol of fertility.

Coyote - The coyote helps you to recognize your own mistakes and to laugh at yourself. Also
considered the “trickster” animal among Native Americans.

Crow - This animal indicates the need to find balance and to stay in the present and will
bring to you the ability to release past beliefs.

Deer - Gentleness is the key word here. The deer represents kindness and compassion.

Dolphin - Life breath and communication is the essence of the dolphin. The dolphin will also
help you with interpreting your dreams.

Eagle - The eagle is your connection with your Soul. It helps you to see beyond the mundane
to your higher purpose.

Ferret - See the Weasel definition.

Fox - This animal represents patience - the ability to wait for the right moment to act.

Frog - The frog will teach you how to jump from materialism to spirituality.

Hawk - The hawk represents the ability to see meaning in ordinary experiences and helps
you to become more observant.

Horse - The horse will teach you how to communicate with other realms as well as this one.
It is the message carrier.

Hummingbird - This creature represents the joy of living and brings with it the ability to
see beauty in everything.

Lizard - The lizard brings into your awareness your subconscious hopes and fears so that
through the light of day they can be acknowledged.

Mouse - The mouse helps you to notice the little things in life - all of those details you
previously overlooked and to be ever alert to those things going on around you.

Owl - The owl represents wisdom and gives you the ability to see things that are normally
hidden from view - like the motives of others so that you won't be deceived.

Raven - This is the messenger. The raven indicates that you need to make changes in the
way you perceive things and gives you the ability to see what has to be changed.

Snake - This animal gives you the ability to let go of things that are worn out and no longer
useful - just like the snake sheds it skin when it is no longer needed.

Spider - The spider represents creativity and the weaving of fate. Everything you do in the
present will help determine your future. The past always influences the present and the
future. It also teaches the need to maintain balance between the past and the future.

Squirrel - The squirrel encourages you to develop the ability to plan ahead and to anticipate
your future needs, to be prepared.

Swan - The swan gives you the ability to handle change and transformation with grace and
dignity.

Turtle - The turtle gives roundedness. It imparts to you the ability to keep your feet on the
ground and pay attention to earthly things.

Weasel - This animal imparts the ability to see beneath the surface of things to what the
actual intent and meaning is. The weasel also encourages you to develop your sense of inner
hearing and to pay attention to your inner voice.

Whale - The whale gives you the ability to know the wisdom of the ages - from the time
before time.

Wolf - The wolf represents your inner teacher. It will help you to find your life path.
African Totem Animals

Alligator - stealthy, a survivor,

Ant - diligent, industrious, community-driven, with remarkable strength, hard-working,
successful, and patient

Ape - Creative in your communications and expressions.

Antelope - active, on your toes. Quick thinking. Flexible.

Bat - rebirth, longevity, joy, good luck.

Bee - divine messenger, love, service, gathering, community.

Bird - enlightenment, perspective, swiftness, vision, prophetic knowledge

Camel - Survival is promised through difficult time. Replenish yourself.

Cat - feminine energy, mystical power, used to keep the wearer safe in travel, wholeness

Chameleons - ever-changing future, inconsistency

Cheetah - speed, focus. Act with speed and grace.

Elephant - commitment, strength, Past life knowledge and ancient powers have been
awakened.

Gazelle - awareness, Trust your intuition and act quickly to avoid trouble and complications.

Giraffe - grounded vision

Hippopotamus - emotional depths, spirituality and healing.

Ladybug - delight, trust, Allow efforts to unfold and go forth.

Lions - pride, nobility, cunning, courage, fairness,

Lizard - dreaming, foresight, ancient secrets

Lynx - secrets. Trust in what you see and feel.

Monkey - benevolence, drives away evil

Peacock - wholeness, dignity, beauty, recognition, self-assurance, pride

Spider - destiny, fate, weaving

Tiger - courage, bravery, fierceness, strength, being in the now. Control your passions.

Zebra - Individuality. Agility not strength. Work around problems and obstacles.
Knowledge.
Honors
Research Project

In small groups (two or three people) research and create an original slide show discussing/
analyzing Creation Stories from each of the cultures discussed in this unit. You must
provide:

o
Hard copy examples of each text (i.e., the Adam and Eve Creationism story)
o
A Power Point showing similarities and differences with other cultures
You may split the work up as you wish (and work together with anyone in this particular
class), but each of you must type a paragraph explaining your role (and those of your fellow
honors students) in the project.

The Research Project is due on 27 August 2011. If part of it is not here, it is a zero. You
get no exemption for extra work. If one of you forget to do your part, all of your grades
will suffer, so make certain you can trust your fellow students.
Cultures discussed in this unit:

Fertile Crescent

African cultures

Native American cultures

Egyptian cultures

Western European cultures