Ancient Egypt & Kush (Nubia) – II

Egyptian Life and Culture

•Agriculture– primary economic

activity in Egypt;80% of Egyptianswere poor farmers;relied on irrigationfrom the Nile andthe fertile siltdeposited duringseasonal floods

Writing

•Hieroglyphics– Egyptian writing system, one of the world’s

first, used symbols

•“Book of the Dead”– hymns to gods such as Ra and described the

process of mummification (1240 BC)

•Rosetta Stone– a stone slab discovered in

1799 that was inscribed with hieroglyphics and their Greek meanings; best archaeological source for translation of glyphs

•Papyrus– long-lasting, paper-like

substance made from reeds

Writing

Architecture

•Pyramids– Old Kingdom tombs– Egypt’s most recognized symbol

Architecture

•Temples– Dedicated to

gods and pharaohs

•Sphinx– huge ancient

Egyptian statue of an imaginary creature with the head of a person and the body of a lion; Great Sphinx of Giza (Old Kingdom) is the largest single-stone statue ever

•Obelisk– a tall, four-sided pillar that is pointed on

top; like the Washington monument

Architecture

Art

•Tomb Paintings– Murals

Art

•Carvings– “reliefs”

Art

• Jewelry & Decorations