Egyptian Achievements

Social Studies for 8th E.G.B. |Section 4 Egyptian Achievements – pages: 102-

106| Teacher: Mauricio Torres

People remember

Egyptians for their cultural achievements: Art Writing Architecture

Achievements

3300 BC.- One of the first writing

systems in the world, the Egyptians developed Hieroglyphics. They were first carved in stone or

other hard materials. Later Egyptians learned how to

make papyrus, a long lasting, paper-like material. Scribes used them to write using brushes and ink.

This writing system used 600 symbols!

You could write it in a very flexible way: from left to right; right to left; up and down… making it a nightmare to the reader.

Writing

Papyrus did not decay in

Egypt’s dry climate, that is why many texts still survive.

These texts talked about: Historical and government

records, science texts, medical manuals.

Literary texts also survive, such as the Book of the Dead, which tells about the afterlife.

Egyptian Texts

The walls of their tombs and temples were covered with

impressive paintings and carvings.

Temples, Tombs & Art

Other than the pyramids, Egyptians

also built massive temples, which the believed to be the home of the gods.

Some of them shared similar features like: Rows of sphinxes (imaginary

creatures with the bodies of lions and heads of other animals or humans).

Huge gates. Obelisks (a tall four-sided pillar that is

pointed on top).

Great Temples

Huge columns rose to support the roofs on the temples, and walls were beautifully decorated.

Statues of gods and pharaohs often stood along the walls as well.

Temples: Inside

Ancient Egyptians were

masterful artists. They painted on papyrus,

canvas, pottery, plaster and wood.

The temple art was dedicated to the gods, while tombs’ artwork were meant to be enjoyed during the afterlife.

Subjects were: Historical events such as

crowning of kings and founding of temples.

Every day life!

Art

Paintings had a distinctive style:

People’s head and legs were always seen from the side. Their upper bodies and shoulders straight on.

People do not always appear the same size: important figures such as pharaohs appear huge in comparison to others.

They were also skilled stoneworkers, metalworkers and jewelers. With these materials they made: Huge statues Necklaces, collars and bracelets.

Art

On the blog, you will find a

Word Document called: Rosetta Stone. Read it and answer the questions at the end.

Remember to bring it typed to school on a sheet of paper.

Times New Roman size 12 Type the questions, so you can

later use them as a study source.

Homework: Rosetta Stone

Analyze:

What were some advantages of using papyrus? What would It be like to use a language that could be written

either up or down, right or left; or left to right? Why do you think builders would place obelisks at the

entrance of the temples? Why do you think many Egyptian temples had rows of

sphinxes leading to the entrance? Identify:

What is a sphinx? Recall:

What are the two types of large structures created by the Egyptian architects?

Give two examples of common subjects of Egyptian paintings.

Ask Yourselves

Burstein, S. M., & Shek, R. (2012). World

History (Teacher´s Edition) (1st Edition ed.). (H. McDougal, Ed.) Orlando, Florida, US.: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Images taken from Google.com

Bibliography