Ancient Egyptian History and Instruments

Primary Sources

• Materials created during the studied time period
• Considered more accurate than secondary sources
• Examples:
  • Artifacts
    • Standing structures: Pyramids and temples
    • Excavation finds: Statues, mummies, and amulets

Secondary Sources

• Writings that analyze or interpret primary sources
• Examples:
  • Writings of philosophers
  • Writings of poets
  • Myths and Legends

Ancient Egyptian Instruments

• Used to record history and important information
• Materials used for inscription: stone, wood, clay, metal

Examples of Ancient Egyptian Instruments

• Diorite Slab
  • Large black diorite slab depicting King Narmer
  • Two meters long
  • 3200 BCE (early First Dynasty)
  • Discovered in Memphis
  • Carved reliefs on the front and back depicting King Narmer performing acts of war and significant historical events
• Green Schist Slab
  • Slab of green schist stone
  • Contains carved names of pharaohs from prehistoric times to the third rulers of the fifth dynasty
  • Depicts soldiers and decorative motifs
• Other Instruments
  • Ostraca (pottery shards)
  • Papyrus
    • Commonly used for writing in ancient Egypt
    • Ebers Papyrus: an ancient medical text documenting medical practices

Ancient Egyptian Artifacts

• Papyrus
  • Material used for writing made from the papyrus plant
  • Ebers Papyrus
    • Oldest preserved medical text
    • Information on internal medicine, eye care, skin disease, and general surgeries
    • Contains terms about human anatomy and treatment
  • Egypt was the primary producer of papyrus, supplying other civilizations
  • Expensive and difficult to remove ink, making it exclusive to advanced academic settings and temples
• Ostraca
  • Fragments of pottery or stone used for writing
  • Used by lower and middle classes
  • Affordable and readily available
  • Used for everyday purposes: receipts, practicing writing
  • Insights into social and political conditions in ancient Egypt

Coins and Ancient Sources

• Coins
  • Objects carrying authority from a governing body
  • Reflect history, economy, and politics
  • Reflect rulers, events, or symbols of the time period
  • Different metals and designs used across time periods
  • Lydians were the first to create coins
• Historical Sources
  • Herodotus: Greek historian who wrote a book about Egypt, including geography, historical events, the actions of rulers, and cultural aspects of the civilization
  • Manito: Ancient Egyptian priest who recorded the history of Egypt under the rule of Ptolemy II

Different Types of Historical Sources

• Primary Sources
  • Sources created at the time of studied event
  • Examples: Original documents, letters, diaries, artifacts
• Secondary Sources
  • Sources created after the studied event, often based on primary sources
  • Books, articles, theses, and other scholarly works
  • Philosophical writings
    • Writings of philosophers like Socrates, Aristotle, and Plato
  • Poetry and Mythology
    • Works of poets like Homer whose epic poems like the Iliad and Odyssey offer portrayals of ancient Greek society and war
    • Myths like the Egyptian myth of Isis and Osiris offer glimpses into cultural values but are not considered objective historical accounts
• Importance of Historical Sources
  • Primary sources are crucial for understanding history
  • Secondary sources are helpful but should be evaluated critically
  • Some secondary sources may incorporate imaginative or stylistic elements rather than precise historical accounts

Explore the fascinating world of ancient Egyptian history through primary and secondary sources. This quiz covers important artifacts, historical recordings, and notable signs used during the early periods of Egyptian civilization. Test your knowledge on specific instruments and their significance in recording history.