Ancient Egypt (map) Content Notes: • The Nile is a combination of

Ancient Egypt (map)
Content Notes:
• The Nile is a combination of the two main rivers: The White Nile, which originates in Southern Sudan, and the
Blue Nile, from which originates from the highlands of Ethiopia. It is the monsoon rain water from the highlands
that causes the Nile flood season. The White and Blue Niles come together at the spot where Khartoum is today.
The Atbara, about 150 miles north of Khartoum, is the third river that feeds into the Nile.
• To emphasize the isolation of Egypt, you might add some additional information about the boundary areas:
o North- The Mediterranean borders the delta, which is marshy and full of wildlife and water plants.
o East- The Arabian Desert includes mountains and wadis, dry riverbeds which fill with water only after
heavy rains. When dry, the wadis were used as trade routes across the dessert.
o South- The southern boundary begins in Nubia with the first Nile cataract (rapids). The Nile valley in
Nubia is very narrow and supports little agriculture. Thus, many Nubians were nomadic desert dwellers.
At times, the Egyptians invaded this area and captured Nubians to serve as slaves. Nubia was also
known for its gold mines, also of interest to the Egypians
• Given the unusual “confinement” of Egypt, little change occurred over the millennia, compared with other
civilizations. The culture valued order, dependability, and security, and found reassurance by the cyclical nature
of the Nile and the sameness of life in general. This stability was called ma’at and was presided over by the
goddess of the same name.
• Interesting data about the Nile River:
o Floodplain along the river; 4,250 square miles,
ranging from one mile wide at Aswan to 11 miles wide at elAmarna
o Nile Delta: 8,500 square miles, 125 miles across
o During the inundation, the Nile flowed swiftly at
four knots (About 4 ½ mph). A 550-mile trip from Thebes to
Memphis (traveling north with the current) took about two weeks.
During drought season, the current was about one knot and the
water level low. The same trip would take two months.
o
The Nile is a stopping point on a major migration route
for water birds flying between Europe and Africa. The waterfowl were used
as food and as sacrifices.
1. The Nile is the world's longest river, 4,160 miles. Consider the southern
boundary of Ancient Egypt to be at Aswan (the first cataract, or rapids).
2. Why is the delta region to the north called "Lower Egypt"?
3. What are the eastern, western and northern boundaries of Egyptian
settlement?
4. Given the geography of this area, do you think Egypt was vulnerable to
foreign invaders? Explain your thinking.
5. What do you notice about population distribution and settlement
location in Ancient Egypt? List three or four reasons for this.
Teaching Tips:
• Be sure that students understand the meaning of the word floodplain (the area covered by the Nile in flood season). Ask them to find the
Nile floodplain on the map and estimate the percentage of Egypt's land that it covers (about 4 percent).
• Discuss the Document Analysis questions:
1. The Nile is the world's longest river, 4,160 miles. Consider the southern boundary of Ancient Egypt to be at Aswan (the first
cataract, or rapids).
About how many miles of the Nile are actually in Egypt? About 660 to 700 miles
2. Why is the delta region to the north called "Lower Egypt"?
The Nile flows downhill, from south to north.
3. What are the eastern, western and northern boundaries of Egyptian settlement?
Eastern Desert; the Western Desert; the Mediterranean Sea
4. Given the geography of this area, do you think Egypt was vulnerable to foreign invaders? Explain your thinking.
No, because the delta and the Nile Valley are isolated by their geographical barriers:
Mediterranean Sea to the north, deserts to the east and west, and the land of Nubia and Nile cataracts (rapids with rocks) to the south.
5. What do you notice about population distribution and settlement location in Ancient Egypt? List three or four reasons for this.
Settlement is almost entirely in the delta and along the narrow river valley. In other words, settlement clings to the river. Reasons for this are:
1. People needed fresh water for drinking, bathing, and cooking.
2. The river was the water source for crop Irrigation.
3. The Nile provided a highway for travel and trade, and provided fish for eating and mud for brick-making.