Ancient Egypt: A River Civilisation · Summer Term

Egyptian Gods & Goddesses

Investigating the polytheistic religion of Ancient Egypt, focusing on key deities and their roles in daily life and the afterlife.

About This Topic

The Egyptian obsession with mummification stems from their belief that the soul (the Ka and Ba) needed a physical body to return to in the afterlife. This topic explores the scientific and ritual process of preserving the dead, from the removal of organs to the wrapping in linen. For Year 3, this is a fascinating look at ancient biology and belief.

Students learn about 'Canopic Jars', the use of 'Natron' salt, and the 'Opening of the Mouth' ceremony. They also investigate the 'Weighting of the Heart', the final judgment where a person's life was measured against the feather of truth. This topic comes alive when students can physically model the 'steps' of mummification and the journey through the underworld.

Active Learning Ideas

Simulation Game: The Mummification Lab

Using a tomato or an apple as the 'body', students 'mummify' it by scooping out the 'insides' and burying it in a mixture of salt and baking soda (pretend Natron). They observe the changes over a week to see how 'drying out' preserves things.

⏱ 50 min·Small Groups

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Role Play: The Hall of Ma'at

Students act out the 'Weighting of the Heart' ceremony. One student is the 'Dead Person', one is 'Anubis' with the scales, and one is 'Thoth' writing down the result. They must decide if the person lived a 'good' life based on three 'deeds' they describe.

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups

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Think-Pair-Share: The Heart vs. The Brain

The Egyptians threw the brain away but kept the heart. Students think about why (they thought the heart did the 'thinking'). They share with a partner why we know that's wrong today and how the Egyptians' 'mistake' tells us what they valued.

⏱ 20 min·Pairs

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Mummies are 'monsters' that come back to life to scare people.

What to Teach Instead

In Ancient Egypt, a mummy was a sacred and loved person being prepared for a beautiful 'Field of Reeds' (heaven). Watching a video of how modern scientists respectfully study mummies helps move away from the 'Hollywood' stereotype.

Common Misconception

Only Pharaohs were mummified.

What to Teach Instead

Anyone who could afford it could be mummified, even pets! There were 'budget' versions for poorer people and 'luxury' versions for the rich. Comparing different types of burials helps students understand the 'mummification industry'.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Natron?

Natron is a natural salt found in Egypt. It was the most important part of mummification because it sucked all the moisture out of the body, which stopped it from rotting.

What went into the Canopic Jars?

Four important organs were kept in jars: the liver, the lungs, the stomach, and the intestines. Each jar had a lid shaped like one of the four sons of the god Horus to protect the organ inside.

What are the best hands-on strategies for teaching mummification?

The 'tomato mummification' experiment is a classic for a reason, it demonstrates the science of desiccation perfectly. Active role-play of the 'afterlife journey' helps students remember the sequence of beliefs. These hands-on tasks turn a potentially 'macabre' topic into a lesson on biology and cultural values.

How long did it take to make a mummy?

The whole process took about 70 days. 40 days were spent drying the body out in salt, and the rest of the time was for cleaning, oiling, wrapping, and performing the religious ceremonies.

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