Ancient Egyptian retainer sacrifices

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

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Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/ancient-egyptian-retainer-sacrifices

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the geographical setting?Ancient Egypt, particularly sites like Abydos and Saqqara
2. What is the chronological period?Primarily the First Dynasty (circa 3100-2900 BC), with evidence of decline thereafter
3. What were retainer sacrifices in Ancient Egypt?In the early days of Egypt, kings buried servants with them in tombs so the king would have helpers in the afterlife.
4. Why did Egyptian kings bury their servants?They believed the king would need the same helpers after death to keep the kingdom running and to show the king’s power.

Early Dynastic Period: The historical era in ancient Egypt following unification, marked by the establishment of dynasties.
Ma'at: The ancient Egyptian concept of truth, balance, order, law, morality, and justice.
Necropolis: A large, ancient cemetery with elaborate tomb structures.