In what direction does the Nile River flow? How can one tell by merely looking at a map of Egypt?
One can tell that it flows north because the Nile delta is formed when the Nile empties into the Mediterranean Sea.
100
Why was the Nile River plain a good place to settle? Name three reasons.
1) source of fresh water (crops, fishing, drinking, bathing)
2) flooded each year enriching the surrounding soil with silt, 3) a transportation "highway" for trade
100
Spell "Mediterranean Sea"
Yes, good job! It has two R's in the middle and is capitalized because it is a proper noun!
100
What were the approximate starting and ending dates of the Egyptian empire?
From about 3000 B.C.E to about 350 C.E. The Egyptians fell into decline at about the same time that the Roman empire was reaching its peak.
200
Name two inland bodies of water in the region that are called "seas" but are much smaller than the typical sea.
Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea
200
In what direction does the Jordan River flow and how can one tell just by knowing that the Dead Sea is salty (and getting saltier!)
It flows south as fresh water from the Sea of Galilee and "pools" up at the Dead Sea where it evaporates and has left salts behind over millennia. If the Dead Sea was the source of the Jordan River's waters and the river flowed north, the Dead Sea would not be salty.
200
What were the three most popular places for settlements in Canaan?
1) the coastal plains along the Mediterranean coast,
2) along the Jordan River,
3) around the Sea of Galilee.
200
What were at least three uses for papyrus?
It was used to make paper, rope, woven mats and baskets, and could even be used to make the walls of huts or the hulls of small boats.
200
What ethnic/cultural group settled ancient Canann? Hint: Their name is the same as the language they spoke and which many speak today. They had permanent settlements but were also nomadic herders.
Hebrews
300
In what way did the surrounding deserts protect the early settlements of Egypt and Kush?
They were natural barriers that prevented invaders from attacking from those directions.
300
Name one way in which the Nile and Jordan Rivers are different other than they flow in different directions.
The Nile River flowed through Egypt and Kush (Africa) while the Jordan River flowed through Canaan (SW Asia).
The Nile River floods slowly on a predictable annual schedule while the Jordan River doesn't flood (its banks are too steep).
The Nile River deposits silt along its banks to enrich the surrounding fields; the Jordan River does not.
300
Why were herders in the regions of Egypt, Kush and Canaan often nomads rather than settlers?
Herd animals such as sheep and goats require lots of grazing land. Once the land has been "eaten down" the herd needs to move to new grazing areas and water sources. This lifestyle was common in areas where there was not soil that was fertile enough for crop agriculture.
300
What is the name for the process of adding nutrients and food to the soil?
fertilization
300
What desert lies between the Nile River and the Red Sea?
Arabian Desert
400
What sort of topography was good for herding animals such as sheep and goats?
Hilly, rocky terrain. Poor soil and hilly terrain that isn't great for crop agriculture often suits herding just fine.
400
What is the source of the water that flows in the Jordan River?
The Jordan's waters originate in the Lebanon Mountains to the north of the Sea of Galilee. The river flows south from the Sea of Galilee.
400
Where in Canaan was it not a good place to settle or even herd? Why?
There is no fresh water at the Dead Sea, it's very salty. The ground surrounding the Dead Sea is also too salty to grow crops... it's a nice place to visit for spa treatments today, but was not such a good place to live back in ancient times.
400
What do we call a person who wanders from place to place without a permanent home?
nomad
400
The Jordan River forms the boundary between what two modern day countries?
Israel and Jordan
500
What natural feature formed the western border of Canaan?
Mediterranean Sea
500
In what ancient kingdom did the Blue Nile and the White Nile join to continue flowing northward as just "the Nile"?
They joined in the kingdom of Kush, near the modern day city of Khartoum (the capital of modern day North Sudan).
500
Why was Kush a major trading center for raw materials and goods from all across the African continent?
It was a kingdom of Africans linked to the rest of the continent by the Nile and it's far-reaching tributaries. It was famous for the quality of its pottery and woven goods which also made it an attractive trading hub.
500
Name three primary environmental factors that determined how good a place was to settle.
water, topography, vegetation
500
What desert was at the southern end of Canaan and separated it from Egypt?