Math, Science, and MedicineThe Egyptians were the first ancient civilization to develop geometry. Geometric

shapes like squares and triangles were sacred to the Egyptians and were used in

building and designs in design and building of temples and monuments.

Egyptian priests studied the sky and became some of the first astronomers. About

5,000 years ago, they saw the star that is now known as Sirius. They realized that it

appeared in the sky right before the Nile River began to flood. It seemed that the star

returned to its viewable position in the sky every 365 days. Based on that star, the

Egyptians developed the first calendar.

Egyptians were very familiar with the human body because of the mummification

process. That knowledge helped them successfully perform some of the world's

earliest surgeries. From records on an ancient papyrus scroll, instruction on how to use

stitches have been found.

The Egyptians were the first to develop medicines. They put moldy bread on wounds.

Remember that penicillin, an antibiotic, is made from a mold. Egyptian doctors also

used willow bark to create a type of pain reliever. The bark contains a substance that

is very similar to aspirin.

Questions:1. Why was geometry important to the early Egyptians?

2. Why was the star, Sirius important to the early Egyptians?

3. List two types of 'medicine' the Egyptians developed.

Pyramids

Built in 30 years, the Pyramid at Giza was the tallest building in the world until the beginning of the 20th

century. It remains as the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.[Figure5]

For centuries, the pyramids were the tallest structures on the planet. The Pyramids of

Giza, built over 4,000 years ago, still stand atop an otherwise flat, sandy landscape.

One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the pyramids defy 21st-century humans to

explain their greatest secrets. How could a civilization that lacked bulldozers, forklifts,

and trucks build such massive structures? Why would anyone have spent the time and

energy to attempt such a task? What treasures were placed inside these monuments?

Only a powerful pharaoh could put together the necessary human resources to build

giant pyramids. During the flood seasons, farmers became builders. Huge stone blocks

averaging over two tons in weight were mined in quarries and transported to the

pyramid site.

Egyptologists think that the workers used either rollers or slippery clay to drag the

blocks from the quarries to their eventual placement on the pyramid. Construction of the

larger pyramids took decades.

4. Why did it take decades for Egyptians to construct a pyramid?

Why Pyramids?

Pyramids were built for religious purposes. The Egyptians were one of the first

civilizations to believe in an afterlife. They believed that a second self that is called the

ka lived within every human being. When the physical body expired, the ka enjoyed

eternal life. Those fortunate enough to pass the test of Osiris wanted to be comfortable

in their lives beyond earth. The Great Pyramids were simply grand tombs of powerful

pharaohs.

5. Why were pyramids built? What were the pyramids used to do?

6. After the death of a person, what began enjoying the next eternal life?

Three pyramids were built at Giza, and many smaller pyramids were constructed

around the Nile Valley. The tallest of the Great Pyramids reached nearly 500 feet into

the sky and spanned an area greater than 13 acres. The Great Sphinx was sculpted

nearby to stand watch over the pyramids. It stood 65 feet tall and consisted of a human

head atop the body of a lion.

7. What was the 'Great Sphinx?'

Egyptians who were rich wanted to take their most prized possessions with them in

death. They believed that their ka could enjoy the treasures in its next life. Gold, silver,

and bronze artifacts were loaded into the interiors of the great tombs. Fine linens and

artwork were hung on the walls of the secret chambers.

In the early days, dead nobles were often buried with their living slaves and animals.

Because this practice eventually proved too costly, artists instead painted scenes of

human activity on the inside walls. Some pyramids were even equipped with a restroom

for the pharaoh.

8. What type of items were placed in the pyramids and why were they there?

Great precautions were taken to protect the tombs from looters. Egyptians believed that

a defiler of a pharaoh's resting place would be cursed for eternity. The entrance to the

inner chambers was carefully hidden. The pharaoh's mummy was placed in a huge

coffin called a sarcophagus, which was made of the hardest known stone blocks.

Despite such warnings and precautions, tombs were raided over the years by grave

robbers.

The pyramids, however, have stood the test of time. Although their outer limestone

layers have long since been stripped or passed into dust, the pyramids still stand. About

80 dot the horizons of modern Egypt. They remain as time capsules cast forward by a

once-great civilization.

The Nile and Field Planting

The Nile River was measured as being 4175 miles long in 2006. It is considered to be

the longest river in the world. The main source of its water comes from Lake Victoria.

From there the river flows northward, eventually emptying into the Mediterranean Sea.

The Nile river travels through a total of 9 countries and a variety of different

environments, including deserts, swamps, rainforests, and mountains.

The Egyptians took advantage of the natural cyclical flooding pattern of the Nile River.

Because this flooding happened fairly predictably, the Egyptians were able to develop

their agricultural practices around it. The water levels of the river would rise in August

and September, leaving the floodplain and delta submerged by 1.5 meters of water at

the peak of flooding. This yearly flooding of the river was known as inundation. As the

floodwaters receded in October, farmers were left with well watered and fertile soil in

which to plant their crops. The soil left behind by the flooding was known as silt and was

brought from Ethiopian Highlands by the Nile. Planting took place in October once the

flooding was over, and crops were left to grow with minimal care until they ripened

between the months of March and May.

While the flooding of the Nile was much more predictable and calm than other rivers,

such as the Tigris and the Euphrates, it was not always perfect. High floodwaters were

destructive and could destroy canals that were made for irrigation. Lack of flooding

created a potentially greater issue because it left Egyptians suffering from famine.

9. How long is the Nile River?

10. What direction does the Nile River flow?

11. Through how many present day countries does the Nile River flow?

Basin irrigationEgyptians developed and utilized a form of water management known as basin

irrigation. This practice allowed them to control the rise and fall of the river to best suit

their agricultural needs. A crisscross network of earthen walls was formed in a field of

crops that would be flooded by the river. When the floods came, the water would be

trapped in the basins formed by the walls. This grid would hold water longer than it

would have naturally stayed, allowing the earth to become fully saturated for later

planting. Once the soil was fully watered, the floodwater that remained in the basin

would simply be drained to another basin that was in need of more water.

12. Please explain how basin irrigation worked.

Food cropsThe Egyptians grew a variety of crops including grains, vegetables, and fruits. However,

their diets revolved around several staple crops, especially cereals, and barley. Barley

was grown with the intent of later being fermented to make beer. Other major grains

grown included einkorn and emmer wheat which was grown to make bread. Other

staples for the majority of the population included pulses, beans, lentils and later

chickpeas and fava beans. Root crops, such as onions, garlic, and radishes were

grown, along with salad crops, such as lettuce and parsley.

13. Write about the types of food grown in ancient Egypt.

Evolution of Writing - Hieroglyphics

[Figure15]

The Egyptians developed a form of early writing around 3200 BC/BCE at about the

same time as the Sumerians. The type of writing was very different from the

Sumerians. A hieroglyphic is a type of drawing that represents a world or sound. Like

in other ancient civilizations, ascribe was trained to write. Most ancient Egyptians did

not know how to write. There was no known translation to the hieroglyphic writing until

the Rosetta Stone was found in 1799. On the Rosetta Stone, two sets of writing were

found - one in Egyptian and one in Greek. It is believed that the stone was written in

about 196 BC/BCE.

15. What were the writers called?

16. On what was the translation for hieroglyphics found?

The Invention of Papyrus

Egyptians invented a paper-like material from the papyrus reed that grew along the Nile River.

This was much easier to write on and transport than the clay tablets from Sumeria. Papyrus

sheets could last for a very long time. Many writings have even survived to the present.

[Figure17]

Industrial and fiber crops

Egyptians relied on agriculture for more than just the production of food. They were

creative in their use of plants, using them for medicine, as part of their religious

practices, and in the production of clothing. Herbs perhaps had the most varied

purposes; they were used in cooking, medicine, as cosmetics and the process of

embalming. Over 2000 different species of flowering or aromatic plants have been

found in tombs. Papyrus was an extremely versatile crop that grew wild and was also

cultivated. The roots of the plant were eaten as food, but it was primarily used as an

industrial crop. The stem of the plant was used to make boats, mats, and paper. Flax

was another important industrial crop what has several uses. Its primary use was in the

production of rope and fine linens which were used domestically and also exported.

Henna was grown for the production of dye.

Egyptian Calendar

The Egyptians, like many prehistoric people, probably based their calendar on the

cycles of the moon, or a lunar based year -- probably about 354 days. The Egyptians

wanted a calendar to keep track of the time for planting purposes. This calendar would

help in planting and in harvesting their crops. The star, Sirius was very important to the

Egyptians. They saw the star at about the same time that the Nile would flood. They

would keep watch for this star to make plans for planting.

The Egyptian calendar ended up with 365 days, and they used this calendar for planting

and official record keeping.

14. Please write about why the Egyptian calendar was important.

Directions: Begin by reading your group’s assigned Egyptian achievement. After reading, your group will create a poster answering the questions (found in the passages) pertaining to your Egyptian Achievement to share with the class. You will write the questions along with the answers on your poster. You will also draw on picture relating to your topic on the poster. This

assignment will be taken for a grade. Use your time wisely. This assignment will be due this period.

1. Why was geometry important to the early Egyptians?

2. Why was the star, Sirius important to the early Egyptians?

3. List two types of 'medicine' the Egyptians developed.

4. Why did it take decades for Egyptians to construct a pyramid?

5. Why were pyramids built? What were the pyramids used to do?

6. After the death of a person, what began enjoying the next eternal life?

7. What was the 'Great Sphinx?'

8. What type of items were placed in the pyramids and why were they there?

9. How long is the Nile River?

10. What direction does the Nile River flow?

11. Through how many present day countries does the Nile River flow?

12. Please explain how basin irrigation worked.

13. Write about the types of food grown in ancient Egypt.

14. Please write about why the Egyptian calendar was important.

15. What were the writers called?

16. On what was the translation for hieroglyphics found?