Kush

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

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/kush

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 Kush known for?Unique Meroitic script, distinct pyramid architecture, syncretic religious practices, advanced metallurgy
2. What is the chronological span?Approximately 2500 BCE to 350 CE, with distinct periods (Kerma, Napatan, Meroitic)
3. What was Kush and where was it located?Kush was an ancient kingdom in Africa, located along the Nile River in the region called Nubia.
4. Why did Kush build pyramids?Kush built pyramids to honor their kings and queens, similar to Egypt but with steeper angles and smaller size.

Nubia: An ancient region in Northeast Africa, south of Egypt, historically home to powerful kingdoms like Kush.
Meroitic Script: The indigenous writing system used by the Kushite kingdom, deciphered in the 20th century.
Kandake: A title for the ruling queens or queen mothers of Kush, who often wielded significant political power.
Trans-Saharan Trade: The network of trade routes that crossed the Sahara Desert, connecting North Africa with sub-Saharan regions.