Monday, March 28, 2011

How did natural features such as lakes, rivers, and mountains help unite people or keep them isolated from each other?

Lakes and rivers might unite people by providing them with a food source. For example, if there was plenty of fish in a lake people would come to the lake to fish, and catch food together. However, a lakes and rivers could also isolate people by being in the middle of two civilizations, like a natural barrier, and when people would naturally have been united it would have prevented them from being together. Mountains could unite people if there was a lot of wildlife, food, and natural resources. Then people would gather and live in the mountains, and be brought together. However, like the lake and the river, if there was a mountain in between two civilizations, this would probably prevent them from uniting, and keep them separated. In this way, natural barriers both bring people together and keep them apart.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Journey Down the Nile Poem


On my way to the sphinx,
Sounds of joy escape my larynx.
In my small canoe I row,
Watching the river below me flow.
The land and sky so full of life,
And all around the amazing wildlife.
The birds in the sky a beauty,
The trees on the banks so fruity.
Up in the blue's a small bird,
On the river bank a large elephant herd.
Down deep in the river many fish,
Catching the insects with a swish.
Everywhere a fantastic view,
The trees swaying as the wind blew.
From the forest comes a roar,
I move ahead with my oar.
No place is there without a sound,
As continue my travels around.



Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Questions on Mummification

1. What is the relationship between mummification and the natural environment? Provide specific examples from what you read during the previous lesson.

The natural environment enables mummification. You can't, for example, have someone be mummified in the tropical rainforest, at least not naturally. However, with hot climates such as the Ancient Egyptians had, mummifying would be easier and a common thing to do. You could also mummify someone in a very cold climate, such as the Andes mountains in Chile. These natural environments could preserve bodies naturally. Another natural location that could preserve bodies are swamps or bogs.
2. What are some of the reasons mummies have been made?

One way mummies have been made is just naturally, being preserved over time in their natural environment. Another reason of why mummies are made was that the Ancient Egyptians believed in the afterlife. They believe that people lived another life after they died in this one, so they would preserve people's bodies and bury them with their most valuable belongings to take to the afterlife. They also believed that some animals should be mummified for religious reasons.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Mummification

Mummy: The dead body of a human or animal that has been embalmed and prepared for burial, as according to the practices of the ancient Egyptians.

Embalm: To treat (a corpse) with preservatives in order to prevent decay.

Dissect:To cut apart or separate (tissue), especially for anatomical study.

Cryonics: The process of freezing and storing the body of a diseased, recently deceased person to prevent tissue decomposition so that at some future time the person might be brought back to life upon development of new medical cures.

Transgression: A violation of a law, command, or duty.


In which parts of the world have mummies been found?
The oldest mummies have been found in northern Chile near Arica, next to the Atacama desert. Some other places where mummies have been found include Egypt and China.

In which types of places (physical geography & climate) have mummies been found?
Mostly desert areas, with very dry climates. These help preserve the bodies. However, mummies have also been found in frozen climates high up in the mountains. This also kept the body safe.

How did Ancient Egyptians preserve their dead?
The Egyptians used mummification, which was a process of preserving and embalming their bodies preparing them for the afterlife.

Why do you think ancient Egyptians took such care to embalm their dead if the desert could do the job for them?

They probably didn't know how to use their natural environment correctly, and weren't such an advanced civilization to know that freezing or drying a body would preserve it in the same way.

What features of the natural environment can cause bodies to be mummified unintentionally?
Very hot, dry climates can cause bodies to be mummified, since it dries the body. Also, cold, freezing climates preserve mummies very well, if it lays undisturbed. Some mummies have also been found in swamps and bogs, which preserve the body equally well.

According to current scientific beliefs, what are some reasons people were intentionally mummified?

The Egyptians wanted to prepare the corpses of dead people for the afterlife, so therefore they preserved the bodies, and mummified them intentionally.

Questions about unknown region

What remains of the past have been found in or close to this location?2. What climate does this region have?
3. What type of culture does this region have?
4.Does this place have any previous connections to mummies, or preserving bodies?5. What main history does this region have?


Source:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/

Tuesday, March 8, 2011


My group and I made a poster on the Assyrian empire. We researched language, religion, trade, government, geography, climate, the flag, animals, war strategies, and art. This is our final result.