Ancient Egypt, Part One: Early Egypt to the Old Kingdom By History.com, adapted by Newsela staff on 02.02.17 Word Count 513 The Sphinx of Giza at the Giza Necropolis, Egypt. Photo by: DeAgostini/Getty Images The first in a two-part series For almost 30 centuries, ancient was the leading civilization in the Mediterranean world. From the great pyramids of the Old Kingdom through the military conquests of the New Kingdom, Egypt has entranced archaeologists and historians. It even has its own field of study, Egyptology. We learn about ancient Egypt from the monuments, objects and artifacts found at archaeological sites, covered with hieroglyphs that have only recently been deciphered. These pieces of history show a culture rich in art, architecture and religious traditions. Predynastic Period (5000-3100 B.C.) Few written records or artifacts have been found from the period before dynasties, or family lines that ruled Egypt. The period included at least 2,000 years of development of the Egyptian civilization. Late Stone Age communities in northeastern Africa exchanged hunting for agriculture. The change allowed the development of Egyptian arts and crafts, technology, politics and religion. Around 3400 B.C., two kingdoms were established: the Red Kingdom to the north and the White Kingdom in the south. A southern king, Scorpion, made the first attempts to conquer the northern kingdom around 3200 B.C. A century later, King Menes subdued the north and united the country, becoming the first king of the first dynasty. Archaic (Early Dynastic) Period (3100-2686 B.C.) King Menes founded the capital of ancient Egypt at what would become Memphis, in the north. The period saw the development of the foundations of Egyptian society, including the ideology of kingship. To the Egyptians, the king was a godlike being, closely identified with the all-powerful god Horus. The earliest known hieroglyphic writing also dates to this time.
Ancient Egypt, Part One: Early Egypt to the Old Kingdom By History.com, adapted by Newsela staff on 02.02.17 Word Count 513 The Sphinx of Giza at the Giza Necropolis, Egypt. Photo by: DeAgostini/Getty Images The first in a two-part series For almost 30 centuries, ancient was the leading civilization in the Mediterranean world. From the great pyramids of the Old Kingdom through the military conquests of the New Kingdom, Egypt has entranced archaeologists and historians. It even has its own field of study, Egyptology. We learn about ancient Egypt from the monuments, objects and artifacts found at archaeological sites, covered with hieroglyphs that have only recently been deciphered. These pieces of history show a culture rich in art, architecture and religious traditions. Predynastic Period (5000-3100 B.C.) Few written records or artifacts have been found from the period before dynasties, or family lines that ruled Egypt. The period included at least 2,000 years of development of the Egyptian civilization. Late Stone Age communities in northeastern Africa exchanged hunting for agriculture. The change allowed the development of Egyptian arts and crafts, technology, politics and religion. Around 3400 B.C., two kingdoms were established: the Red Kingdom to the north and the White Kingdom in the south. A southern king, Scorpion, made the first attempts to conquer the northern kingdom around 3200 B.C. A century later, King Menes subdued the north and united the country, becoming the first king of the first dynasty. Archaic (Early Dynastic) Period (3100-2686 B.C.) King Menes founded the capital of ancient Egypt at what would become Memphis, in the north. The period saw the development of the foundations of Egyptian society, including the ideology of kingship. To the Egyptians, the king was a godlike being, closely identified with the all-powerful god Horus. The earliest known hieroglyphic writing also dates to this time.
ancient_egypt_part_1.docx