Key Vocabulary

afterlife The place where the ancient Egyptians believed they would go after they died

canopic jars Special jars that held the organs of a mummy, including the lungs, intestines, liver and stomach

Giza A place where several large pyramids and the Great Sphinx were built

hieroglyphics A type of writing used by the ancient Egyptians that used a combination of pictures and symbols

mummy A dead body that has been specially preserves using embalming so that it would not rot

papyrus A plant that grew on the banks of the Nile which was used to make paper, boats, sandals, baskets and rope

pharaoh The supreme ruler of all ancient Egypt - he or she was considered a god

pyramid A giant tomb built for the pharaohs of Egypt It was made from stone and had four sides that came to a point at the top

Rosetta Stone A special stone that had the same inscription written in both Greek and Egyptian hieroglyphics that was very helpful in translating

sarcophagus A large stone box that held a mummy’s coffin

Sphinx A mythological beast with the body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh or god - the Egyptians built sphinx statues to guard tombs

Tutankhamun A pharaoh of Egypt that is famous for the discovery of his tomb by Howard Carter The tomb was largely untouched and was full of treasure

Key Learning Objectives To be able to place historical events on a timeline. To know key facts from the ancient Egyptian period of time. To explain why people acted as they did during this period of history.

Early Period Old Kingdom 1st Intermediate Period Middle Kingdom 2nd Intermediate Period New Kingdom 3rd Intermediate Period

2950-2575 BC 2575-2150 BC 2150-1975 BC 1975-1640 BC 1640-1520 BC 1520-1075 BC 1075-653 BCThe ancient Egyptian civilisation begins. The first pharaoh of Egypt, Menes, united Egypt and called Memphis the capital city. The Egyptians developed hieroglyphic writing to make records. The first pyramid was built during this time.

The fourth dynasty begins and the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx are built. This is often called the Age of the Pyramids. The fourth dynasty is a time of peace.

Egypt splits back into two countries. The Old Kingdom ends and the First Intermediate Period begins.

The Pharaoh reunites the two parts of Egypt under one rule, signalling the start of the Middle Kingdom. The royal tombs are moved to the north near the city of Memphis. The Egyptians start to use irrigation to carry water from the river Nile to their crops.

Some of the dynasties during this period only lasted for a short time. The horse and chariot are introduced during this period.

1749 BC - Hatshepsut. She is one of the most successful women pharaohs and ruled for 22 years. 1352 BC - Akhenaten changed the Egyptian religion to worship a single god. It only lasted his rule, however, as his son, Tutankhamun, would change the religion back to the old ways.

The New Kingdom comes to an end when Egypt becomes divided.

The River Nile flows into the Mediterranean Sea.

The Red Sea is to the east of the area known as Upper Egypt

Tutankhamun

Key Questions

Why did the ancient Egyptians live by the River Nile?

The most important thing that the Nile provided to the ancient Egyptians was fertile land. Most of Egypt is desert, but along the Nile River, the soil is rich and good for growing crops. The three most important crops were wheat, flax and papyrus.

What was mummification?

The afterlife was an important part of ancient Egyptian culture. One of the ways they prepared for the afterlife was to try and preserve the body for as long as possible. They did this through a process of embalming. Salt, called natron, would dry out the body and the organs were removed. After drying for forty days, the body would be wrapped in linen, covered in a shroud and placed in a sarcophagus.

Pyramids

Ancient Egypt - Y5