Ancient civilizations are studied today to help us understand more about our worlds past and what has brought us to where we are today. Our findings have not only answered questions, but also brought us to ask questions. Perhaps one of the most studied and yet least understood civilizations ever were the Ancient Egyptians. Located in northern Africa, Egypt is a country unlike any other that is situated on the vast continent. Ancient towns that once thrived have now been reduced to mostly rubble. Intriguing artifacts have been discovered over time that help us to understand what it was like to have lived back then.

One of the keys to understanding the ancient civilization is the Rosetta stone. This artifact was discovered in 1799 and helps us even today to interpret the writings of the ancient hieroglyphics. Egypt's history, religion, and beliefs were left on these hieroglyphics. Some of the writings included stories of the kings that ruled during the different dynasties. Gods were also very prominent during this time and played a major role in the way people lived their lives.

Not everyone was able to read or write, so people who were able to read or write hieroglyphics were held

The next step, for the mummies of ancient Egypt was the journey to the tomb, or the "house of eternity," as they knew it. The community made sure the chambers of the tomb were furnished with everything necessary for the comfort and well being of the occupants. It was believed that the individual would be able to access these items in the next world. Some of the more important things that the deceased would need at his side were a concoction of spells. A conglomeration of reading material ensured a successful passage as well. The Pyramid Texts, The Book of the Dead, and the Coffin Texts all aided the lost soul in their journey through Duat into the Fields of the Blessed. If the deceased was of high importance within the community they would take into the tombs with them small statuettes called, Ushabi. If the deceased were called to work in the Elysian Fields he would call upon one of the statues to take his place and perform the task for him. It was not unheard of for!

The period that is most thought of when thinking of ancient Egypt is the time when Egypt was ruled by the pharaohs after 3000 B.C. Settlers and sailors came to Egypt from Palestine, Syria, and Iraq around 5000 B.C. After realizing how fertile the land was many decided to stay and try to domesticate the land. Soon after small huts and villages began to rise up everywhere and the colonization of Egypt had begun.

More than 90% of Egypt is covered by desert, also called the Red Land. The desert could support only small settlements in wadis (river valleys) and oases. The early Egyptians lived on the banks of the Nile River or beside canals extending from it. The area near the Nile was Kemet, or the Black Land, named after the rich dark silt on which the farmers grew their crops. Civilization could not have been established in Egypt without the fertility of the land. The flooding of the Nile River was a sign for ancient Egyptian farmers that it was the beginning of the farming season. Even in modern day times Egyptians have depended on the flooding of the Nile River. Exploiting the resources that it provides to the area was never taken lightly. When the Nile waters subsided, the farmers went to work sowing barley and emmer wheat. The result usually was a good summer harvest.

The next step in mummification was drying out of the body itself. This was done by thickly coating it inside and out with a powdery white salt. This salt, known as natron, had the ability to draw water from the skin and other tissues.

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3. Wilson, John A. The Culture of Ancient Egypt Phoenix Publications.

an individual to have a figure for every day of the year to ensure an afterlife devoid of physical exertion. The statues essentially represented slaves of the deceased. Just about everything the embalmers and burial practioners did during the process was done for particular reasons.

2. Spencer, A. J. Death in Ancient Egypt. Penguin Books. New York. 1982

Another practice used by the Egyptians to aid the departed soul involved mass human sacrifice. Many times if a prominent person passed away the family and servants would willfully ingest poison to continue their servitude into the next world. The family members and religious figureheads of the community did just about everything in their power to aid the deceased in the transition to a new life.

The odor of a slowly drying b

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