An African civilisation, long ago

Ancient Egypt grew in north-east Africa more than 5000 years ago.

Egypt is a country in the north-east of Africa. Thousands of years ago, one of the world's first great civilisations grew here. It lasted for a very long time because Egypt had natural borders - deserts, seas and cliffs - that made it hard for enemies to invade.

• Egypt is part of the African continent, next to the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
• The civilisation grew and changed over thousands of years.
• We learn about it from ruins, tombs, paintings and ancient writing.

The Nile River

The ancient Greeks said that 'Egypt was the gift of the Nile'.

The Nile is the biggest river in Africa. It flows from the south to the north and empties into the Mediterranean Sea. Most of Egypt is hot, dry desert, so almost everyone lived close to the river.

Every summer the Nile flooded. When the water went down again, it left behind rich, dark soil called alluvial soil. This soil was perfect for growing crops, so the same fields could be farmed year after year.

• The Nile gave people water to drink and to water their crops.
• It was a busy road for boats carrying people and goods.
• The yearly flood made the soil fertile for farming.

Living and working by the river

The river gave people food, homes and work all year round.

Long ago the first people here were hunter-gatherers who moved around to find food. Over time they settled down and became farmers, building homes and villages along the banks of the Nile.

• Farmers grew wheat and barley to make bread, and vegetables for food.
• They kept animals such as cattle, goats and ducks.
• People used the river reed papyrus to make boats, mats and an early kind of paper.
• Homes were built from mud bricks that dried hard in the sun.

Upper and Lower Egypt join together

Two parts of Egypt were united under one ruler.

Because the Nile flows from south to north, Egypt was divided into two lands. The southern part was called Upper Egypt and the northern part, near the sea, was called Lower Egypt. This may feel upside-down, but 'upper' means higher up the river, closer to where it begins.

Long ago these two lands were joined into one kingdom ruled by a single king. This began the long line of Egyptian kings we call pharaohs.

• Upper Egypt was in the south, Lower Egypt in the north.
• They were united into one country under one ruler.
• The king wore a special crown showing he ruled both lands.

The pharaoh: king and god

The pharaoh was the most powerful person in all of Egypt.

The king of Egypt was called a pharaoh. The word comes from the ancient Egyptian words per-aa, which mean 'great house'. The pharaoh was the leader of the government and the leader of the religion at the same time.

• People believed the pharaoh was a god in the shape of a person.
• He owned the land and made the laws.
• He led the army and was in charge of building temples and pyramids.
• When a pharaoh died, his son usually became the next pharaoh.

The shape of Egyptian society

Egyptian society was like a pyramid: a few powerful people at the top, many workers at the bottom.

Gods and the afterlife

The ancient Egyptians believed in many gods and in life after death.

The Egyptians worshipped many gods and goddesses, who they believed controlled the sun, the river, the harvest and other parts of life. Powerful priests looked after the temples and the religious ceremonies.

They believed strongly in an afterlife - a life that continues after death. To prepare a body for the afterlife, they carefully preserved it as a mummy. This was expensive, so only the rich, and especially the pharaohs, could afford it.

• Egyptians believed the body needed to be kept safe for the afterlife.
• Bodies were made into mummies and placed in tombs with food and treasures.
• Religion and the pharaoh's power were closely linked.

Pyramids and the Sphinx

The Egyptians built giant stone tombs that still stand today.

The Egyptians built huge stone pyramids as tombs for their pharaohs and queens. Inside were storage rooms, hidden passages and courtyards. The pharaoh's mummy and riches were placed inside for the afterlife.

Near the pyramids at Giza stands the Sphinx, a giant statue with the body of a lion and the head of a king. It has stood as a symbol of Egypt for thousands of years.

• Pyramids were built by large teams of skilled craftworkers and labourers.
• Much of the building happened during the flood season, when farmers could not work the fields.
• The most famous pyramids are at Giza, near modern Cairo.

The tomb of Tutankhamen

In 1922 explorers found the treasure-filled tomb of a young pharaoh.

Tutankhamen was a pharaoh who became king as a boy and died young. For thousands of years his tomb lay hidden and untouched. In 1922 it was discovered, still full of golden treasures, a golden mask and everyday objects buried with him.

• The tomb taught us a great deal about how pharaohs were buried.
• It was filled with gold, jewellery, furniture and food for the afterlife.
• Tutankhamen is now one of the most famous pharaohs in the world.

Hieroglyphs: writing with pictures

The Egyptians invented a form of writing that used pictures and symbols.

As trade grew, the Egyptians needed to keep records of what they bought and sold. They developed a kind of picture-writing called hieroglyphs, where each little picture or symbol stood for a sound or an idea.

• Hieroglyphs were carved on temple walls and written on papyrus.
• Specially trained writers called scribes learned to read and write them.
• This writing helped the Egyptians record their history, laws and stories.

Gifts from ancient Egypt

Ideas from ancient Egypt helped later peoples all over the world.

Ancient Egypt through time

1. Long ago Hunter-gatherers settle and become farmers along the Nile
2. About 5000 years ago Upper and Lower Egypt are united under one pharaoh
3. Age of the pyramids Great pyramids and the Sphinx are built at Giza
4. Long line of pharaohs Egypt is ruled by pharaohs, priests and scribes
5. 1922 The tomb of Tutankhamen is discovered, full of treasure

What we have learned

Ancient Egypt was a great African civilisation shaped by the Nile, ruled by pharaohs and remembered for its pyramids and picture-writing.

The Nile River gave the Egyptians water, food and a way to travel. The pharaoh ruled as king and god, helped by priests and scribes. The Egyptians believed in many gods and in life after death, and they built pyramids as tombs. They invented hieroglyph writing and made discoveries in maths and medicine that still matter today.