Essential Questions
Everybody probably remembers that when we first got this project, we had to answer some essential questions. This is where you can find the answer to those three questions:
How were the ancient pyramids built?
How were they able to build those ancient monuments?
How and why did they create mummies?
Q: How were the ancient pyramids built?
A: The ancient pyramids were built with stone. The stone was mined in a quarry by men who chipped away at the stone and placed expanding wedges under it to prop it up. Rope was used to haul the stone out. This stone was tied up with more rope and dragged on clay pathes to the building site. At the building site, the stone was brought into a square that marked the edges of the pyramid. The ancient Egyptians built their pyramids from the center out. When it was time for the next layer, mounds of dirt or ramps were used to haul the stone up. The stones in the pyramid at Giza fit together so well that you can't even slide a knife between them. After the last stone was placed, the pyramid was a step pyramid. In order to make the edges smooth, speacial half stone were quarried. these stones looked like 3D right isosoles triangles. The speacil stones were placed on the step pyramid tho make a smooth side.
Q: How were they able to build those ancient monuments?
A: The ancient monuments of Egypt were built with human labor. No, there were no Nubian slaves envoled. Each pyramid (in Egypt) took about 20 years to complete. This seems like a lot of time, but since the Egyptians who built the pyramids were farmers, the pyramid were only worked on during flood season when farmers didn't tend to their crops. Flood season was from June to September, which is 4 monthes. So, 20 years with 4 monthes a year means the pyramids were built in about 80 monthes, which is 6 years and 10 monthes. As you read in the last section, the pyramids were built with ramps and dirt.
Q: How and why did they create mummies?
A: Mummies were created to preserve the human body. The ancient Egyptians believed that the sprit of a person would be relaseaed with death and had to reunite with the body. This was done by preserving the body. To do this, the body was washed in the Nile River. Then, the hair was shaved off of the person. Next, a hook is used to soften the brain so that it flows out of the nose to be disposed of. Next, all of the organs are removed. The lungs, , liver, intestines, and stomach are preserved in linen wrappings. all of these organs except for the heart (which remains in the body after being wrapped) are placed in canopic jars, which are protected by the sons of Horus, Imsety the liver, Hapy the lungs, Duamuft the stomach, and Qebehsenuef the intestines. Next, the body fluids are removed using natron salt, which covers the body for 40 days. The body is thinner and darker after the salt is removed. The body is washed and the empty spaces (cavities) are filled with linen soaked in resin. Next, makeup is appliedand a wig is placed on the head. Then the body is covered with oil to soften the skin and melted pine resin to seal the body. The oil is made from myrrh, crushed thyme leaves, and juniper are used to add fragrance to the body. A plate of gold with a wedjat is placed over the cut that was used to remove the organs to protect the wound. The lector priest purifies the air with incense. Next, the body is wrpped in linen with small charms (amulets) between the layers to protect the mummy. A mask is fitted on the mummy's head and it is place in its sarcophagus along with a label (which shows the mummy's name) and a book of the dead.
How were the ancient pyramids built?
How were they able to build those ancient monuments?
How and why did they create mummies?
Q: How were the ancient pyramids built?
A: The ancient pyramids were built with stone. The stone was mined in a quarry by men who chipped away at the stone and placed expanding wedges under it to prop it up. Rope was used to haul the stone out. This stone was tied up with more rope and dragged on clay pathes to the building site. At the building site, the stone was brought into a square that marked the edges of the pyramid. The ancient Egyptians built their pyramids from the center out. When it was time for the next layer, mounds of dirt or ramps were used to haul the stone up. The stones in the pyramid at Giza fit together so well that you can't even slide a knife between them. After the last stone was placed, the pyramid was a step pyramid. In order to make the edges smooth, speacial half stone were quarried. these stones looked like 3D right isosoles triangles. The speacil stones were placed on the step pyramid tho make a smooth side.
Q: How were they able to build those ancient monuments?
A: The ancient monuments of Egypt were built with human labor. No, there were no Nubian slaves envoled. Each pyramid (in Egypt) took about 20 years to complete. This seems like a lot of time, but since the Egyptians who built the pyramids were farmers, the pyramid were only worked on during flood season when farmers didn't tend to their crops. Flood season was from June to September, which is 4 monthes. So, 20 years with 4 monthes a year means the pyramids were built in about 80 monthes, which is 6 years and 10 monthes. As you read in the last section, the pyramids were built with ramps and dirt.
Q: How and why did they create mummies?
A: Mummies were created to preserve the human body. The ancient Egyptians believed that the sprit of a person would be relaseaed with death and had to reunite with the body. This was done by preserving the body. To do this, the body was washed in the Nile River. Then, the hair was shaved off of the person. Next, a hook is used to soften the brain so that it flows out of the nose to be disposed of. Next, all of the organs are removed. The lungs, , liver, intestines, and stomach are preserved in linen wrappings. all of these organs except for the heart (which remains in the body after being wrapped) are placed in canopic jars, which are protected by the sons of Horus, Imsety the liver, Hapy the lungs, Duamuft the stomach, and Qebehsenuef the intestines. Next, the body fluids are removed using natron salt, which covers the body for 40 days. The body is thinner and darker after the salt is removed. The body is washed and the empty spaces (cavities) are filled with linen soaked in resin. Next, makeup is appliedand a wig is placed on the head. Then the body is covered with oil to soften the skin and melted pine resin to seal the body. The oil is made from myrrh, crushed thyme leaves, and juniper are used to add fragrance to the body. A plate of gold with a wedjat is placed over the cut that was used to remove the organs to protect the wound. The lector priest purifies the air with incense. Next, the body is wrpped in linen with small charms (amulets) between the layers to protect the mummy. A mask is fitted on the mummy's head and it is place in its sarcophagus along with a label (which shows the mummy's name) and a book of the dead.