Lesson 8 Intro - The Pharaohs

In ancient Egypt, powerful leaders called pharaohs controlled the lands.  The people of ancient Egypt honored these rulers both during their reign and during their believed afterlife.

In 1922, archaeologists discovered the tomb of a pharaoh.  Inside a small burial chamber, they found three coffins nested inside each other.  The smallest coffin was made of solid gold and held the king's mummy.  A mummy is a body that has been preserved after death to prevent it from decaying.

On the mummy's head was a magnificent golden mask.  Jewelry and good luck charms lay on the mummy and in the wrappings that protected it.  Other rooms of the tomb were filled with statues, weapons, furniture, and even a chariot.

These artifacts have much to teach us about this ancient civilization.  For example, the objects left behind told archaeologists that this tomb belonged to the famous pharaoh called King Tutankhamen (too-tan-KAH-muhn), whom historians often refer to by his nickname, King Tut.

The treasures in King Tut's tomb provided an amazing glimpse into ancient Egypt.  Other pharaohs also left behind fabulous riches and artwork.  Many of these pharaohs had great monuments built to celebrate their lives and their accomplishments.

In this lesson, you will learn about three significant  periods  in ancient Egyptian history.  Then you will meet four pharaohs who ruled during these periods, learn what they  accomplished , and explore some of the monuments they left behind.