FACTS ABOUT ANCIENT EGYPT

• Egypt is located in Northern Africa, bordering the Middle East and the Mediterranean Sea.
  
  
• The Nile, the longest river in the world, divides the length of Egypt. Beginning at its source in central Africa, the Nile River winds northward for over 4,000 miles to the Mediterranean Sea.
  
  
• Miles of desert protected Egypt over the centuries from invaders, allowing the ancient Egyptian civilization to develop isolated artistic traditions, as well as advanced political, religious and agricultural systems.
  
  
• Egyptian culture was primarily agricultural relying on the annual flooding of the Nile River that brought fresh water and fertilized silt to renew the soil for crops. Agricultural themes emerge repeatedly in Egyptian art.
  
  
• Although located in southern Egypt, the area is referred to as Upper Egypt because of its high elevation. Lower Egypt is in the north and includes the low floodplains of the Nile.
  
  
• Ancient Egyptian society was organized as a hierarchy, with the pharaoh at the top and farmers and laborers at the bottom.
  
  
• The earliest Egyptian writing system consisted of picture symbols called hieroglyphs.
  
  
• Egypt’s rulers were believed to be divine kings, sons of the sun god Re. The term “pharaoh” means “great house” and was first used by the New Kingdom ruler, Thutmose III.
  
  
• Thirty dynasties of pharaohs ruled for over 2500 years in Egypt.
  
  
• The ancient Egyptians believed in polytheism, the worship of many gods. Different gods and goddesses, including those representing the sun and the Nile River, played a role in explaining natural occurrences.
  
  
• Ancient Egyptians believed that after death, they could be reborn into a new life in the underworld ruled by the god Osiris.
  
  
• Funerary texts helped the deceased achieve immortality. The Amduat (“what is the netherworld”) was a text reserved for royalty which traced the twelve-hour journey through the underworld.
  
  
• In preparation for the afterlife, pharaohs built elaborate tombs for themselves. In the Old Kingdom, the pharaohs built pyramids to house their remains. Later, tombs were carved into the sides of cliffs. One famous area now referred to as the Valley of the Kings is located on the west bank of the Nile across from Thebes.
  
  
• Mummification was the first step taken to prepare for immortality. Occurring over a seventy day period, mummification was a process for preserving the body. Important internal organs, the lungs, liver, stomach, and intestines were removed, dried in salts, and placed in canopic jars. The body was also dried with salts and wrapped in multiple layers of fine linen. Bodies were often adorned with jewelry, protective amulets (small magical charms) and funerary masks before being placed in decorated coffins.