1.3 Egypt and the river Nile

• History
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 1

1.3  Egypt and the river Nile

ANCIENT EGYPT

Lesson objectives 

1. You can explain how irrigation farming worked along the Nile.
   
2. You can explain what economic changes resulted from the appearance of agriculture in Egypt.
   
3. You can explain what social changes resulted from the appearance of agriculture in Egypt.

Farmers

Hunter-Gatherers

moving from place to place

finding grain, fruit and vegetables

hunting animals and fishing

small groups

only few possessions that can be carried

Farming was a big change in the way prehistoric man lived. So what changed exactly?

Drag each change  to the correct place in the table.

large groups

pottery

domesticating animals

growing your own crops

living in one place

(= settling)

Co-operating language

• How about we put..... ?
• I don't know about you, but I think a good one would be...
• Good thinking! I hadn't thought about that 

What you will learn in 

this lesson

• You can explain how irrigation farming worked along the Nile.
  
• You can explain what economic changes resulted from the appearance of agriculture in Egypt.
  
• You can explain what social changes resulted from the appearance of agriculture in Egypt.

Egypt and irrigation farming

Egypt is a very hot, dry country. It was hot and dry in ancient times, too. The only place crops grew was along the banks of the River Nile. This is because, in ancient times, the river flooded each year from July to October 

The Egyptians built dykes, water reservoirs and channels. The channels also let them water the fields that were a bit further away from the Nile.  This way of farming is called irrigation farming.

Guessing language 

• I reckon that... 
• It's difficult to tell, but....
• It would make sense if this one were...

Irrigation farming 

The Nile made the farmland fertile

1. true
2. false

More food 

more people 

Two important changes for the people of Egypt 

More food = more people 

But also not everyone had to become farmer 

They started working in Industry and crafts 

They started making: tools, clothes, furniture and jewellery

This is what we call specialization.

What is the goal of irrigation?

1. So there is no more water polution
2. So the water can help grow the crops
3. It helps with fishing
4. To prevent flooding

Trade 

specialized craftspeople exchanged their labour or products for food or other things they needed.

Trade was created 

They bought ivory (elephant tusks), wood, livestock and valuable stones among other things.

What is specialization

1. When you have a special job
2. Do one job where you really good at
3. Take on as many jobs as possible
4. Everyone has the same job

b. When a text is about trade and money, it is about:

1. culture
2. religion
3. politics
4. economics

Towns 

Because there were more people the villages around the Nile grew in towns. Like Memphis and Thebes 

In these towns lived: craftspeople, administrators, priests, merchants and farmers.

This is what we cal an Urban community 

Inventions 

 Irrigation farming and specialization led to all kinds of inventions.

Guessing language 

• It would make sense if this one were... 
• Surely this one is... 
• I have a hunch that it's.... 

Hunter-gatherers

Specialisation 

Writing system

Leadership is needed 

Market places

arise

Fertile 

Crescent

Social 

stratum

Trade

Urban community 

Rise of 

agriculture

Rules and laws needed

Agricultural surplus

Population growth

Irrigation farming

Co-operating language 

• How about we put..... ? 
• I don't know about you, but i think a good one would be...
• Good thinking! I hadn't thought about that 

Social changes 

Egypt became a society with different social strata

Slaves are people who are owned by other people 

The Pharaoh was king of Egypt he owned a lot of land and when he died there would be a big ceremony. 

‘I bring people’s offerings to the gods.’

‘I help the pharaoh to lead the army.’

‘I am the king of Egypt.’

‘I write down laws.’

‘I make things with my hands.’

‘I have to work the fields.’

'I am the property of someone else'

Look at the following statements and drag the professions to the correct person.

craftsman

pharaoh

farmer

general

low civil servant

priest

slave

Co-operating language

• How about we put..... ?
• I don't know about you, but i think a good one would be...
• Good thinking! I hadn't thought about that 

What was the correct order of farming?
a: watering
b: harvesting
c: flooding
d: planting

1. d, c, a, b
2. b, c, a, d
3. c, d, b, a
4. c, d, a, b

Drag the words to the correct place in the map

Nile

Upper Egypt

desert

Delta

Lower Egypt

What you learned in 

this lesson

• You can explain how irrigation farming worked along the Nile.
• You can explain what economic changes resulted from the appearance of agriculture in Egypt.
• You can explain what social changes resulted from the appearance of agriculture in Egypt.

Do you think that this lesson was enough for you to understand the learning goals?

1. yes, I got it.
2. no, I still do not understand everything

Was your answer in the previous question "A"?
Then you can fill in "OK".

Was your answer in the previous question "B"?
Then write down what part of the lesson you do not understand and (if you can) what can help you.

Was your answer in the previous question "A"?
Then you can fill in "OK".

Was your answer in the previous question "B"?
Then write down what part of the lesson you do not understand and (if you can) what can help you.