6 th Grade Social Studies Geography of Ancient

6 th Grade Social Studies Geography of Ancient Egypt

• • Objectives Introduction The Nile Valley Upper Egypt vs. Lower Egypt Red Land, Black Land Farming in the Nile Valley Citations Geography of Ancient Egypt 2

• Describe the geography of the Nile River region. • Explain why ancient Egyptians called their land the Black Land. • Examine early Egyptian use of plants and animals. Geography of Ancient Egypt 3

• Nile River runs through Sahara Desert in northern Africa • Nile’s flood was central part of life in Ancient Egypt: – Brought water – Brought soil • Nile River made possible the great ancient Egyptian civilization Geography of Ancient Egypt 4

• Sahara Desert was a vast savanna with many trees and animals • Rich savanna turned into harsh desert • Egyptians moved into Nile Valley to survive – Nile is world’s longest river (4, 000 miles) – Flows northward into Mediterranean Sea – Main source at Lake Victoria in central Africa Geography of Ancient Egypt 5

Upper Egypt Cliffs surround Nile River Limestone and sandstone make up the cliffs River runs through cataracts-series of rapids and waterfalls Lower Egypt Both Made up of Nile Delta Along Nile River Nile Delta fans out in triangle where Nile River meets Mediterranean Sea Rich silt Silty delta Geography of Ancient Egypt 6

Black Land Red Land – Heavy rains fell in eastern Africa – Caused river to overflow its banks – Floodwaters drained, leaving silt on the land – Rich silt acted as a natural fertilizer – Deep black color of silt inspired ancient Egyptians to call it Black Land – Dry and barren lands – Nile River sliced eastern part of the Sahara in two – Today, land on east is known as Eastern, or Arabian, Desert – Land on west is called Western Desert Geography of Ancient Egypt 7

• Wealthy landowners controlled almost all farmland in ancient Egypt • Egyptian farmers rented from landowners, giving part of crops as rent • Farmers gathered crops: – wheat, barley and vegetables • Farmers raised animals for food: – Cattle, goats, sheep and pigs Geography of Ancient Egypt 8

Question 1: How would you describe the Nile River? Answer: The Nile flows south to north through the Sahara Desert in northern Africa Geography of Ancient Egypt 9

• Question 2: Why was the annual flooding of the Nile River important to the Egyptians? • Answer: It brought silt, which fertilized the surrounding land. Geography of Ancient Egypt 10

• Question 3: What were some of the crops ancient Egyptians depended on? • Answer: wheat, barley and vegetables Geography of Ancient Egypt 11

• Harcourt Horizons: Ancient Civilizations. (2003). Orlando: Harcourt, Inc. • http: //www. harcourtschool. com/menus/pre view/horizons/index 3. html Geography of Ancient Egypt 12