Task Card 3 - The Death of a Pharaoh
The rulers of Ancient Egypt were kings and during the new Kingdom especially, were called Pharaohs. They were very powerful and were considered living gods by the people. Pharaohs owned all the land and all the resources in Egypt . Pharaohs ruled Egypt for over 2000 years, and the history of Egypt is divided into dynasties. A dynasty is the period of time during which a succession of members from the same family ruled. The position of pharaoh was hereditary. Typically, power was passed down through the king’s daughter and the king's daughter's husband would become the new Pharaoh. To keep the royal blood as pure as possible, it was ideal for sons to marry daughters. There were only four female pharaohs. Click on this link to learn more about the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt.
Priests wrote on the tombs of the pharaohs to help send them on their journey. Click here to study some of the many symbols that were written on the tombs.
Priests wrote on the tombs of the pharaohs to help send them on their journey. Click here to study some of the many symbols that were written on the tombs.
Life after death...
The “Book of the Dead” was the name given to a collection of spells that were read to a person after they died. These spells would be written onto sheets of papyrus and placed with the dead body to be buried. The “Book of the Dead” was like a guidebook to ensure a comfortable afterlife by helping the dead person pass through the dangers of the underworld. It contained passwords, clues, and revealed routes to guide the person through a series of tests and mazes to the eventual goal of an afterlife of bliss in the ancient egyptian version of paradise, the “Field of Reeds”. Bodies were mummified to preserve them for the afterlife. Click here to read about the process of mummification, and try the challenge to see if you can reach the Field of Reeds.
Activities
Start by downloading the assignment criteria here (.docx)
Click here for a google doc version
1. Choose a pharaoh and write an obituary about his or her life and death. Be sure to include things like important dates, family members, events in their lives, achievements they may have made, and so on. Your obituary should include at least one image with a caption. The source of this image should be provided. This obituary should be approximately 250 words. (7 marks)
2. Create a detailed instruction manual outlining the steps the Ancient Egyptians would take to mummify a body. This link may help you, but check others too. (7 marks)
Finally, if you have time, try the fun mummy making on line game at this link (there is sound too)!
Click here for a google doc version
1. Choose a pharaoh and write an obituary about his or her life and death. Be sure to include things like important dates, family members, events in their lives, achievements they may have made, and so on. Your obituary should include at least one image with a caption. The source of this image should be provided. This obituary should be approximately 250 words. (7 marks)
2. Create a detailed instruction manual outlining the steps the Ancient Egyptians would take to mummify a body. This link may help you, but check others too. (7 marks)
Finally, if you have time, try the fun mummy making on line game at this link (there is sound too)!