Ancient Egypt Study Guide

Egypt is located in the northeastern corner of the continent of Africa. Much of Egypt is desert. Ancient Egypt’s civilization first developed along the Nile River, which flows from south to north. The delta is fan shaped and is located where the Nile River empties into the Mediterranean Sea. The area north of Thebes, including the Delta, is called Lower Egypt.

The Egyptian 365 day calendar is based on the sun and the changes in the river.They measured the changes in the river with the nileometer.

The rulers of ancient Egypt were called pharaohs. People thought they were gods. They handed down the laws. Their mummified dead bodies were wrapped in linen strips and buried in pyramids. Pyramids were massive triangular buildings that were built as tombs for the pharaohs to use in the afterlife. The Great Sphinx has the body of a lion and the head of a man and seems to guard the Great Pyramid of Giza.

The writings, developed thousands of years ago by the ancient Egyptians, were called hieroglyphics. Hieroglyphs can be found written on the walls of pyramids and on cartouches.

Howard Carter, an English archeologist, found the tomb of King Tutankhamen. The young pharaoh was buried in the tomb with many marvelous treasures. It was the only tomb that had not been robbed.

Egyptians bartered or traded for what they wanted or needed but did not make themselves.

“Gifts” from Egypt Writing paper was made from papyrus, which grew on the banks of the Nile River Egyptian homes were built of brick and mud. Shaduf was invented to irrigate their land. Linen was made from the flax plant.