Study Guide: Who Were the Ancient Egyptians?

Important names, terms, and concepts

Rosetta Stone
hieroglyphs
hieratic
demotic
Coptic
Manetho
Palermo Stone
Narmer
Scorpion
Menes

Study Tips

• There are a lot of names and dates and technical terms in the readings. Do not panic! Do not try to memorize all the terms and names. Use this study guide to help you.
• Start easy, with the Cracking Codes site -- be sure to click on "Guide" and go through the different sections.
• Take notes. We will discuss the following questions in class, so use specific examples from the readings as you think about the questions. Write down page numbers as you come across interesting stuff.

Discussion Questions

1. Language
What does the Egyptian language tell us about the Egyptian society? What kinds of things does their written language seem to be designed to communicate? Who used each of the written languages and why? How do you think different classes of people within Egyptian society communicated?

2.; From predynastic Egypt to Egypt of the Pharaohs
Ancient Egyptian tombs have captivated our imagination. They're also some of our best historical sources. What were the burial practices in predynastic Egypt like? What changes occurred as Egyptian society developed?

3. How & why did North and South finally unify? Who were the major players? Were there other economic or political factors? Does the art on the Narmer Palette tell us anything about the early Egyptian kingdom?

How did Egyptian culture, society, and government change with the unification of North and South?