Teacher s Guide for CALLIOPE September 2012: Egypt s Giza Plateau Teachers guide prepared by Renee Heiss X Marks the Spot Page 4 Comprehension question List six reasons why Khufu decided to locate his pyramid at Giza. Preparing for the Afterlife Page 7 Fill in the blanks Complete the chart below to show how early graves differed from later graves in Egypt. Early graves Later graves Small ovals or rectangles dug in the sand Simple offering places such as false doors Mud brick superstructures called mastabas Surprise in a Pit Page 14 Draw Draw a picture of the surprise in the pit before it was removed and after the surprise was put back together. Standing Guard Page 18 Interview Interview the Sphinx! See what he might think of his size, colors, purpose, and wisdom of a man with the power of a lion. The Majestic Three Page 24 Venn diagram Draw a venn diagram using three circles. Tell what the three burial locations have in common with each other and how they are unique from each other. Khufu Menkaure
Khafre Sleep Time Page 27 Opinion What is your opinion of the ancient Egyptian beds? What would make you most uncomfortable? What do you like about them? The Mastabas Page 28 Map Draw a map of the mastabas around the Great Pyramid. Draw a compass rose to show directions. Who might have been buried in each section? On the Move Page 31 Debate Debate whether the king and queen should have been carried by people of lesser rank and donkeys. Or should they have walked on their own like everyone else? Give reasons for your decisions. The Worker s Village Page 32 Math Solve these problems related to pyramids. 1. If a pyramid is 9 square and 12 high, what is the volume of the pyramid? 2. A rectangular pyramid is 6 cm on one side and 9 cm on the other side. It is 12 cm high. What is the volume of the pyramid? 3. A triangular pyramid has sides of 24 ft each. The height is 36 ft. What is the volume of that pyramid in yards? Meal Time Page 35 Menu You are giving a dinner party in Ancient Egypt. Create a menu for your guests. Tombs of Pyramid Builders Page 36 Looking for detail 1. How did researchers find tombs of different overseers? 2. How did the researchers know that the tombs had been for laborers?
3. How did the researchers know that the workers had visited a health clinic? Tomb Robbers Page 40 Share The ancient Egyptians wanted their valuable items buried with them. Share with your group what are your most valuable items that you would want to take with you in your burial plot.
ANSWER KEY: X Marks the Spot Page 4 Comprehension question 1. He needed a large area for his entire family 2. Religious tradition dictated that the location be on the west side of the Nile River, in the direction of the setting sun 3. Bodies remained safe and dry in the desert location 4. It needed to be near Memphis, Egypt s capital 5. It needed to be near Heliopolis, the city sacred to the god Re 6. Giza had a large, flat plateau with a lot of building rock in the area Preparing for the Afterlife Page 7 Fill in the blanks Complete the chart below to show how early graves differed from later graves in Egypt. Early graves Small ovals or rectangles dug in the sand Simple mounds of sand and rubble Simple offering places such as false doors Increased in size Later graves Mud brick superstructures called mastabas Hidden burial shafts sealed with blocking stones The Worker s Village Page 32 Math 1. Area of base = 9 in 9 in = 81 in 2 Now use the formula: The Volume of a Pyramid = 1/3 [Base Area] Height Therefore Volume = 1/3 81 in 2 12 in = 324 in 3 2. Area of base = 6 cm 9 cm = 54 cm 2 Now use the formula: The Volume of a Pyramid = 1/3 [Base Area] Height Therefore Volume = 1/3 54 cm 2 12 cm = 216 cm 3 3. Area of base = 24 ft 24 ft / 2 = 288 ft 2 Now use the formula: The Volume of a Pyramid = 1/3 [Base Area] Height Therefore Volume = 1/3 288 ft 2 36 ft = 3456 ft 3 To get yards, divide 3456 by 9 = 384 yd 3 Tombs of Pyramid Builders Page 36 Looking for detail 1. How did researchers find tombs of different overseers? In 1990, a horse stumbled over a partially hidden brick wall, revealing the tombs.
2. How did the researchers know that the tombs had been for laborers? The skeletons showed signs of arthritis and back problems. 3. How did the researchers know that the workers had visited a health clinic? The skeletons showed evidence of amputated limbs and set bones.