Ch. 2 Vocabulary: Ancient Egypt

• 1. cataract – steep rapids formed by cliffs and boulders in the river.

• 2. delta – an area of fertile soil deposited at the mouth of a river.

• 3. shadoof – a water wheel used to lift water from the river for irrigation

• 4. papyrus – reed plant of the Nile Valley used to make a form of paper.

• 5. hieroglyphics – system of writing made up picture symbols developed by the ancient Egyptians.

• 6. dynasty – a line of rulers from the same family.

• 7. pharaoh – an all powerful king in ancient Egypt.

• 8. deity – gods or goddesses.

• 9. The Book of the Dead – a collection of spells and prayers that Egyptians studied to obtain life after death.

• 10. Narmer – King who led his armies to unite Upper and Lower Egypt.

• 11. embalming – a process of preserving a person’s body after death.

• 12. canoptic jars - Pottery containers used to store the organs removed before mummification.

• 13. mummy – a body that has been embalmed and wrapped in linen through a process invented by the Egyptians.

• 14. sarcophagus - stone coffin made to hold the body of a important person.

• 15. pyramid - huge stone structure built by the ancient Egyptians to serve as a tomb.

• 16. tribute – forced payments made by one group or nation to another to show obedience or to obtain peace or protection.

• 17. incense – a material burned for its pleasant smell.

• 18. savannas – grassy plains that stretch across Africa south of the Sahara.

• 19. Sahara - largest desert in the world.

• 20. Giza – area on the west bank

of the Nile which is the location of the Great

Pyramid.

The End