Egyptology 101:Read and investigate the passage on King Khufu, one of the

most important leaders of Ancient Egypt’s Old Kingdom.

Answer the following questions on your notes:1. Why is there little information about King Khufu?

What happened to his tomb?2. Why did Khufu create such a large pyramid for his

tomb?3. How did the Egyptian workers build this pyramid

almost 5000 years ago?

DO NOT WRITE ON YOUR KHUFU READING!!!

The Old Kingdom

• Egyptian history is broken down into three distinct time periods: – The Old, Middle and New Kingdoms

• During the Old Kingdom, Egyptian society was organized and established.

• Social structures (like the ones we learned in our last class) were created.

The Old Kingdom

• Kings during this time believed they were gods!

• They had absolute power and demanded respect from all of their people.

• So what type of government ruled Ancient Egypt?

The Old Kingdom

• Technically, a theocracy AND a monarchy.

WHY???

The Old Kingdom

• Religion & the Afterlife became very important to the Egyptians…so what did the Pharaoh’s build?

The Old KingdomPyramids!: elaborate tombs to hold earthly possessions and the mummified Pharaoh

• King Khufu built the most elaborate pyramid – *The Great Pyramid at Giza: This tomb is one of the

seven wonders of the world! It is the largest and most elaborate pyramid of Ancient Egypt.

*This pyramid is grouped with several other pyramids from other kings

The Great Sphinx• The Great Sphinx: The Great Sphinx is also

located in Giza. The Sphinx was made out of ONE PIECE OF STONE!

How did they do it?!• How did Egyptians build the pyramids?

- Any guesses?!

- Reading.

The Old Kingdom• The Old Kingdom was the ONLY kingdom that

built pyramids: WHY?!

http://natgeotv.com/uk/the-egyptian-job/videos/tomb-raiders

Pyramids are easily seen!

Buried Treasure:• Pyramids were literately filled

with buried treasure! –Why?

• http://www.panoramas.dk/2008/flash/valley-of-the-kings.html

Middle Kingdom• Because pyramids were easily recognized,

pharaohs began to build tombs, buried deep within the caverns of desert caves.

• However, many were still found & looted!

Middle Kingdom

• Also during the Middle Kingdom – Egyptian Art and Literature flourished.

• Your task will be to examine the achievements of the Middle Kingdom today!

• What can we know about Egyptian life by studying their art forms?

Middle Kingdom

• You will be in your group from our previous lesson on social class.

• Each one of you will have ONE activity to work on at a time. Then, you will rotate activities.

• Use your notes sheet to complete each activity.

• Whatever is NOT finished in class will be due for homework tomorrow.