Download The Glories of Egypt - Renton School District

Egypt and their Environment
1) The Egyptians were considered one of the most advanced
civilizations of the ancient world. They were able to develop into
such an admired empire because they had a lot of time to spend time on the arts, technology,
architecture, music, dance, religion, and leisure time. This was due to their ability to take
advantage of their environment.
2) The Egyptians believed in life after death and an afterlife was extremely important to
them. They had people specifically trained to turn a person’s body into a mummy. This was
significant because if they did not have a well preserved body, or at least a statue of
themselves, their ka would have no place to live. Mummification took about 70 days and was
done by specially trained priests. The priests would wash the corpse in wine and cover it with
a salt called natron that was naturally found in their environment. It was used to dry the body
out to preserve it. After 40 days, embalmers rubbed the skin with oils that they traded for with
other places, they then packed the body with spices, and linen to reshape it. Linen is a fabric
made out of flax that is grown in Egypt. It was used also used to make lightweight clothes that
kept the Egyptians cool in their hot weather. Next, came the wrapping. The body would be
wrapped in layers and layers of linen bandages soaked in resin (a sticky type substance found
naturally in Egypt). They would then place magic charms between the strips. Finally the
mummy could be sealed in its sarcophagus that was carved in stone found near Egypt.
3) The largest project that ancient Egyptians built was the pyramids. They were built to
honor a pharaoh and provide him with a tomb that would last forever. Workers began
building a pyramid to honor a pharaoh while the pharaoh was still alive, and sometimes
continued many years after his death. The 80 pyramids of Egypt are located west of the Nile
River and in the desert. The Great pyramid is a site to see. It took over 20 years and 100,000
men to build it.
4) The pyramids were made by men who dug the rock out of a pit 600 miles away, 20
men had to drag it to the building site. 600 miles is a long way to drag a two ton rock! Once
the rock was there, groups of 18 to 20 men pulled the two-and-a-half-ton rock up a ramp until
it reached its proper spot on the pyramid. They used rollers and levees to put the stones in
place.
5) The monuments of Egypt still stand today to show ancient Egypt’s religion,
knowledge of math, and skill in building huge structures, and the glory of the pharaohs.
6) Another example of the Egyptians depending on their environment was the use of
papyrus. It was extremely important to the Egyptians. It was used to make paper which was
important for the Egyptians to write down and keep track of their lives. It has allowed
scientists to learn about how they made the pyramids, their laws, how they embalmed
mummies and who they traded with and had for allies. Papyrus was also used to make boats,
sandals, chairs and many other items to make the Egyptians lives easier.
7) Lastly, Egyptians relied on the Nile for many things. The floods brought in the water
they needed to irrigate crops along with rich soil full of nutrients. This soil was just as
important as water because the nutrients are what is needed in order for plants to grow well.
In fact, the soil was so good that the Egyptians were able to grow enough food to feed a large
population with enough left over to trade with other nations. They also used the Nile for
transportation of people, goods and materials. Since Egypt is surrounded by desert it is very
difficult to travel across. They river allowed the Egyptians to easily transport goods for
trading with other places. They traded food for things that were found along the Nile, such as
gold and turquoise which they used to cover statues and to make jewelry.
Did the Egyptians depend on their environment for a successful Civilization?
Use two examples from the text to support your answer.