Kairavi Bhansali

Std. V-E, Queen’s Valley School

In Stone age, people in Egypt lived on sites fairly high up on the land above the Nile.

By 5000 BC, they became farmers who grew wheat and barley, and reared cattle.

The farmers prospered and built kingdoms.

Some living in cities made the first steps in inventing writing.

Objects found of that period are magnificently carved ivories, stone palettes and fine pots

Desert (called Red Land) covers more than 90% of Egypt. Very few people live in the desert, these in small settlements around oases.

The river Nile is the lifeline of Egypt.

The fertile Black Land besides the river Nile and its canals, where crops grow, is where most of the people settled.

Without this fertile land, there would have been no civilization in Egypt.

The King (called Pharaoh) was the most important and powerful person in Egypt – thought to be a God by the people.

Ramesses The Great

Queen Cleopatra

Egyptians believed that preserving the bodies of their Pharaohs after their death would ensure they live forever.

They developed a process of preserving bodies after death.

Organs (except heart) of bodies were removed and preserved in jars, and the bodies were treated with chemicals and wrapped in linen bandages and placed in wooden caskets

Such preserved bodies are called “Mummies”

Pyramids have four sloping sides. The idea was to recreate the mound at the beginning of time, on which the sun-god stood.

Pyramids were built to protect the mummified bodies of the Pharaohs and the rich offerings buried with them.

The Great Pyramid of Khufu at Giza

The Pyramid age ended in 2150 BC.

Nearly all Pharaohs after that, from Tuthmosis I (1504 BC) to Ramesses XI (1070 BC) chose to be buried in tombs in the Valley of Kings.

The Valley were deep

in the cliffs to the west

of the Nile. There was

a ridge in front of the

entrance, where

guards were kept

Egyptians worshipped several Gods and Goddesses.

The Sun God, Ra, was the most important God.

People turned to magic and medicine for common problems like dangers of childbirth and fevers.

Physicians and Magicians worked together for problems like snake bites and scorpion stings.

Ancient Egyptians had great medical skills.

Papyrus manuals describe how to treat ailments and reveal detailed knowledge of the human body.

They knew about the importance of heart and how it “speaks out” through back of head and hands (pulse).

There were remedies for eye disorders, tumours and gynaecologicalcomplaints.

Egyptians had great temples such as the Karnak at Thebes, temple of Isis at Philae and temple of Dendera.

The Pharaoh was supposed to carry out the duties of high priest in every temple. In his place, the Chief Priest carried out the duties.

The Chief Priest had great powers and controlled vast wealth of temple treasuries and great lands of the temple.

There were several other priests at every temple. Some select priests were involved in temple’s ceremonies.

Ancient Egyptians used to write on papyrus sheets.

The early picture-writing was called “heiroglyphs”. A different form of writing, called “hieratic” was also used. Later, a rapid script, called “demotic” evolved. Even later, the Egyptians used to write Greek.

The famous “Rosetta Stone”, discovered in 1799, had a message in all these three scripts – on the top was heiroglyphs, the centre was demotic, and at the bottom, Greek. This allowed us to translate the heiroglyphs.

Main food was wheat and barley, for making bread and cake (sweetened by dates or honey)

Vegetables such as onions, garlic, leeks, beans, lentils and lettuce were also cultivated.

There were also gourds, dates and figs, cucumbers and melons, but no citrus fruit.

Grapes were grown for making wine or drying into raisins.

Fish, meat and poultry were also part of diet, as was duck, geese, pigs, sheep and goats.

Egyptian clothes were mainly made from linen. Leather and beads were also used.

They wore fine jewelry made from gold, brass and semi-precious stones.

Egyptians were lovers of beauty and fashion.

Both men and women used cosmetics such as eye paint, wigs and floral garlands

Objects like combs, mirrors and cosmetic holders from that period have been found.

Egypt was invaded by foreigners several times in the last 1,000 years B.C.

The invaders included: Sudanese Persians Macedonians / Greek

(Alexander the Great) Romans Arabs

The Arab invasion of 7th Century A.D. turned Egypt into the mainly Muslim country that it is today

Alexander the Great

Roman Emperor Augustus

Persian invaders

Egyptian meals typically start with a soup, served with flatbreads like pitta or aish

A dish of chicken, lamb or veal that has been slow-roasted with herbs or a fish stew accompanied by couscous or rice may follow.

Meals in Egypt are almost always served with salad and dips, such as babaganoushmade from pureed aubergine or fuul, which is a combination of fava beans, lemon and herbs.

Desert is usually pastries filled with figs, dates and nuts, and drenched in honey, or a mahallabiyaa (rice pudding) made with rosewater and sprinkled with spice. Yoghurt and fruit, especially oranges, dates and figs, are often eaten as a dessert too.

Two of Egypt’s most popular dishes are ful medames and koshari, made from spaghetti or macaroni, or sometimes rice, which is cooked together with pulses, garlic and tomatoes and topped with fried onions and herbs.

Falafel, the spicy mashed bean or chickpea and herb patty delicacy can be found everywhere and makes a tasty snack.

The most popular drinks in Egypt are tea, which is usually flavoured with mint or a delicate blend of herbs, and strong coffee. Fruit drinks are widely available, as are local delicacies like karkaday.

Tribal Bedouins of Egypt

Modern Egyptians in Cairo

Female attire:Modesty is very important to Egyptian women, most wear clothes that cover their full body. Many women wear a hijab (a covering for the neck and head) or a niquab (a covering of the face and head). However, it is not uncommon to see an Egyptian woman without a head covering.

Male Attire:Some devout Muslims and usually men of

lower classes wear a galabiya (loose fitting ankle length robe) along with a turban, skullcap or fez. However, most men today wear more Western type clothing. This includes business suits while at work and trousers and short sleeved shirts for every day wear.

Full name: Arab Republic of Egypt

Flag: A tricolor of red, white and black, with a golden eagle set in the middle.

Capital: Cairo (also the largest city)

Population: 80 million (2007 estimate)

Area: 1 million sq. km.

Currency: Egyptian Pound

Major Religion: Islam

Languages: Arabic (official), English, French.

Major Cities: Cairo, Alexandria, Giza

Climate : Hot summers and cool winters