Notes

Very old Egypt was a very important time in our time period. They had their own way of life. Egyptians had their own writing, burials, government, religion, cooking, and games. They were educated people with many talents. They were good with their hands and brains. Very old Egyptians were a beautiful race of people.
The Very old Egyptians called their country Kemet, which means "Black Land." The dark soil from the Nile River was very life-giving. The Nile overflowed at the same time every year, leaving farmers with very life-giving soil. The Nile gave/given much needed water for their crops during the dry season by using their crop-watering/rinsing with water system. The Nile River also gave/given the Egyptians with drinking water, and a way for them to travel, allowing them to explore and trade. Also, the desert around the river was called "Red Land" by the Egyptians. This is where they lived, grew and succeeded. The desert gave/given much gold for the Egyptians to trade with other countries or to keep for themselves. They brought back silver from Syria, cedar wood, oils, and horses from Lebanon, copper from Cyprus, gems from Afghanistan, (very dark or black color/very dark, heavy wood), wood, and ivory from Africa, and nice-smelling substance from Punt.
Egyptians loved and honored family life the way we love and honor food or money. Children were thought about/believed a blessing. They prayed for them and used magic to have children, but if a couple could not understand/create they adopted. Men were the head of the household and the oldest son received everything of the father's. Egyptian women were to exactly follow their fathers and husbands, but were equal in many other ways. For example, women could have jobs, some rights in court cases, and they were able to own land. Women were also allowed to own businesses. Only noble women, however, could be priestesses. The women raised the children and took care of the house. Rich families would hire young women/cleaning women and nannies to do such things. Divorce was not common in Very old Egypt, though it was an option. Problems were talked about between families, and if they could not be settled a divorce would happen. Some women became rulers but only in secret. The only woman who ruled as a pharaoh in the open was Queen Hatsheput. Ordinary men (usually/ in a common and regular way) had one wife, while pharaohs and kings had (more than two, but not a lot of). Most marriages were arranged by parents. Most girls married at age twelve while boys were usually a little older. Children were expected to take care of their old parents. Young boys who could afford it went to school at seven years old. Boys also learned their father's trade. Only the son of writers could be writers, so it was almost impossible to move up in the class system. Girls did not go to school, but some were taught at home. The Egyptians had cats and dogs as pets, and farmers kept (cows, bulls, etc.), goats, sheep, ducks, and geese.
The Very old Egyptians enjoyed a good time with many different activities. They went fishing, swimming, crocodile hunting, and played boat games on the Nile River. Hippo hunting was another popular, but dangerous sport that any age could play as long as an adult was present. They also chased lions, antelope, wild bulls, looklles, and hares for sport as well as hunting foxes and hyenas. Plays were held in the temples and richer families had big fancy parties. Egyptians played (devices that make music), such as, flutes, harps, and the lyre. Egyptian children played many games, some of which we still play today, like leapfrog and tug-of-war. Their favorite types of games were board games. Some examples are Snake, and Senet, which was said to be like the fight between good and evil in the after-life. Another very popular board game that Egyptians liked to play was Hounds and Jackals. Children also played with wooden carved animals, spinning tops, dolls, and clay balls.
Since the weather was so hot and dry, the Egyptians wore light colored clothing made from different kind of linens. Women wore long dresses with see-through coats. Men usually wore long robes, coats, or kilt skirts. Children were naked in the summer and wore long thick coats in the winter. Kings and Queens wore clothing decorated with gems, sequins, (very valuable/very dearly loved) and semiprecious stones. Ordinary people went barefoot, while rich people wore specially made (shoes held on with straps).