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Early Civilizations of Africa. Hatshepsut. Major ruler of Egypt who wanted to be remembered Wanted to carve a record of her deeds on the sides of the temple Allows archeologists to know that early African people’s were connected Gives evidence of trade and cultural diffusion.
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Hatshepsut • Major ruler of Egypt who wanted to be remembered • Wanted to carve a record of her deeds on the sides of the temple • Allows archeologists to know that early African people’s were connected • Gives evidence of trade and cultural diffusion
Tracking the Evidence: Olduvai Gorge • Located on the edge of the Great Rift Valley in Tanzania • Site of a major anthropological discovery by Mary and Louis Leakey • 2 million year old bone fragments that belonged to one of the earliest ancestors of humans • Anthropologists and Archeologists study the remains of ancient peoples to learn how they lived • We still do not know a lot about the earliest peoples
Records on Stone • Rock paintings have been found from South Africa to the Sahara • Left behind by ancient peoples they allow us to learn about them • They show tools, weapons and hunting and gathering techniques • This evidence allows us to understand how they lived • Ex: Imagine 500 years from now what someone would learn from the things in your room
Saharan Rock Art • Shows animals and people living together • Woman are carrying large packages on their heads • The Sahara was wetter and had lakes, rivers and grass at one point • Arrowheads, fish hooks and cattle bones show that the area has changed • Why do you think this happened?
Nile Valley Civilization • Formed when hunters and gathers learned to farm and settled by a constant water source • Developed in the Nile Valley about 7000 years ago • About 3000 B.C.E powerful rulers emerged and were called Pharaohs • Over time they built the power and wealth of the Egyptians • Main part of their rule was through trade and conquest
Religion and Government of Egypt • Religion • Egyptians were polytheistic and believed in many gods • Chief god was Amon- Re (God of the Sun) • Osiris- god of the underworld and Nile • Isis- Wife of Osiris • Strong belief in life after death • Reason for pyramids and tombs • Government • Pharaohs were viewed as gods descended from Amon-Re • Total power over the lives of the people • Priests and Nobles helped the Pharaoh’s run Egypt • Priests conducted ceremonies to please the gods • Taxes were paid in grain and other goods
Connecting Geography and Religion • Use the story on page 74-75 for the following activity • Find a partner and get a spot around the room • Read the “Up Close” story about the gift of the Nile • On a piece of paper answer the questions about the story • This is a graded assignment • Questions: • 1.) Explain what the Nile River does and how it helped the people of Egypt. • 2.) Read over the hymn that is sung and tell me how it connects geography and religion. • 3.) Explain the three specific seasons that the story talks about. • 4.) Answer this LEQ: How did geography and location impact the early people of Africa?
Egyptian Achievements • Huge amount of ruins and artifacts were left behind by the Egyptians • System of writing called Hieroglyphics that used pictures and symbols • Decorated the walls of pyramids and temples with pictures and hieroglyphics • This tells us about their beliefs, knowledge and everyday lives • 365 day calendar was created • Mathematicians were able to survey the land after floods • Egyptian doctors studied the human body
Kingdom of Kush • Trade and warriors moved up and down the Nile River between Egypt and its neighbors • Kingdom of Kush under King Kasthaconquered the Nile Valley in 750 B.C • Kushite control of the Nile Valley ended when the Assyrian Empire took over the Nile Valley • Kush still remained strong and built a new capital Meroe further down the banks of the Nile • Eventually the Kushites replaced the Egyptian gods with their own gods
Wealth and Growth of Kush • Adapted Egyptian Alphabet and made it their own • Large amounts of Iron Ore in the ground allowed them to make weapons • Trade networks with Egypt and the Mediterranean World • Kush lasted for 1000 years before it ended through invasions by foreigners • Question:What cultural elements did Kush borrow from Egypt.
Kingdom of Axum • As Kush was falling down Axum developed in the plateaus of Ethiopia • Important trade center for Ancient Africa • Traded in: spices, gems, and ivory • Traded to Egypt, Arabia and South Asia • 350 A.D King Eznaconquered Kush • Converted to Christianity and withstood the rapid growth of Islam • Ethiopian Christian Church survives today • Have their own language called Geez