Social Classes and Tombs of Ancient Egypt

Social Classes in Ancient Egypt

• Ruling Class: Comprised of the pharaoh, responsible for governing the kingdom.
• Upper Class: Included priests and nobles, who served as government officials and supervised ceremonies.
• Middle Class: Consisted of scribes, traders, artisans, and shopkeepers; held skilled jobs and owned businesses.
• Lower Class: Made up of farmers, herders, and unskilled workers (including slaves); jobs included unloading cargo, transporting goods to markets, and some were fishermen.

Tomb Construction

• Ancient Egyptian farmers, engineers, and stone-cutters built tombs to honor pharaohs and protect them from floods, wild animals, and robbers.
• Protecting the bodies of pharaohs was deemed important to preserve their personal belongings.

Tools and Materials

• Tools used for cutting stone were crafted from copper.
• Workers sourced stone for pyramids primarily from the Nile River Valley in Upper Egypt.

Astronomy and Mathematics

• Egyptians studied astronomy to create a 365-day calendar, essential for pyramid construction and agricultural activities.
• They developed a written numeral system based on ten, which included fractions to facilitate calculations for building projects.

Importance of the Nile

• The Nile provided vital resources: drinking water, irrigation for crops, and bathing facilities.
• It served as a trade route, enabling travel along its banks.
• Natural protections included cataracts (fast-moving waters) and surrounding mountains.

Egyptian Deities

• Key gods included:
  • Ra: deity of the sun.
  • Hapi: river god.
  • Thoth: god of learning.
  • Anubis: god of the afterlife.
  • Osiris: co-ruler of the underworld.

Afterlife Beliefs

• It was believed that all people could attain the afterlife.
• However, only pharaohs were thought to be guaranteed entry into this realm.

Embalming Process

• Embalming involved preserving intestines to prevent decay, a crucial step in preparing the deceased for the afterlife.