FARMING & CIVILIZATION
What was the name of the shift from hunting and gathering to growing crops and raising animals?
Agricultural Revolution
What two foods formed the foundation of the Ancient Egyptian diet and were eaten by many ordinary people every day?
Bread and beer
Ancient civilizations often formed near this natural feature because it provided water for crops.
A river
During the Ancient Food Survival Lab, you tasted this dried fruit (________) that was commonly carried on long journeys.
Dates
This spice originated in India and became one of the most valuable trade items in the ancient world.
Pepper
What is the term for raising plants and animals for human use?
Domestication
During our interview with Hemiunu, we learned that some foods were only available to wealthy Egyptians. Name one luxury food that wealthy Egyptians might have eaten.
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Ancient Egypt depended on this river to support farming and food production.
The Nile River
What was the main purpose of preserving food in ancient civilizations?
To make food last longer and prevent it from spoiling.
What is the term for exchanging goods between people or regions?
Trade
During the Farming Challenge, you quickly discovered that producing food required a great deal of _______ because grain had to be planted, harvested, ground, and stored.
Hard work (labor)
Ancient Egyptians often presented food to their gods during religious ceremonies. What does this tell us about the role of food in Egyptian society?
Food was connected to religion and religious beliefs.
A year passes and the Nile barely floods. What will most likely happen to the food supply?
The food supply will decrease because crops will receive less water.
During the Desert Caravan Challenge, you had to consider shelf life when choosing foods. What does shelf life mean?
How long a food can last before it spoils.
Tea originated in China, but people in distant regions still wanted it. Why would people trade for products they could not produce themselves?
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A village now has enough food for everyone to survive. Some people become builders, traders, priests, and soldiers instead of growing food. What is the term for people focusing on different jobs?
Specialization
Two Egyptians sit down to eat. One eats bread, onions, and fish. The other eats beef, duck, honey, and wine. Which person is most likely wealthy and how do you know?
The second person because they are eating luxury foods that were more expensive and harder to obtain.
An irrigation canal breaks just before planting season. Why would this be a major problem for farmers?
Water would not reach crops, causing food production to decrease.
A traveler must cross a desert that will take 30 days. Would fresh fruit or dried dates be a better choice? Explain why.
Dried dates because they last longer, travel well, and are less likely to spoil.
Salt was often considered one of the most valuable trade commodities. Why was salt more important than simply making food taste better?
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A village has fertile land, a reliable river, and enough food stored for winter. Give TWO reasons why this village would be more likely to grow into a civilization than a group of hunter-gatherers.
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Historians often study food to learn about civilizations. Give TWO things a historian could learn about Ancient Egypt by studying what people ate.
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Two villages are exactly the same except for one difference. Village A is located next to a reliable river. Village B is located far from any major water source. Which village is more likely to grow into a successful civilization and why?
Village A because access to water supports farming, food production, larger populations, and long-term stability.
Imagine a civilization has a large harvest but no way to preserve food. Explain TWO problems this civilization might face later in the year.
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Imagine two merchants. One sells a product that everyone wants but is difficult to obtain. The other sells a product that is common and easy to find. Which merchant is more likely to make a larger profit and why?
The first merchant because scarce goods are often more valuable and people are willing to pay more for them.