Goal

- Demonstrate knowledge of religions, culture, innovations, government, and achievements of a classical African Civilization

Choose ONE of the African civilizations we have studied this unit or from the list below. You will need to research your civilization and find out the G.R.A.P.E.S. characteristics of that civilization. Remember that research takes time and thought… make sure you give yourself the time and pace yourself as you read about your civilization!

Since Module 3 in the first semester, we have been focusing on G.R.A.P.E.S. of each civilization; that is, we have been looking at how each civilization is unique based on their Geography, Religions and beliefs, Achievements, Political structures, Economics, and Social structures. For this project, you will research a classical African civilization and create a project that showcases EACH of these characteristics.
Here are some guidelines to help you. You do not need to answer every question, but use these to guide what kinds of information you should have:
Geography- Where is your civilization? What does its landscape look like? What are some challenges and opportunities that face the people who have lived there at the time of your civilization?
Religion- What were the main religions or beliefs of the people of your civilization? Did it change over time?
Achievements- What are some achievements of your civilization? What monuments or famous places did they build? What did they invent? What did they control? What are they known for?
Politics- What kind of political structure did they have? Who had the power, and how? Why?
Economics- What items did your civilization produce? What did they grow? What did they create? How did they participate in trade? Who did they trade with?
Social Structure- Did they have social classes? Who was in the upper social classes, and who was in the bottom? Why? What was daily life like? Were things different for men and women? How did they educate children?

AT THE END OF YOUR PROJECT, include a section that describes why you think this civilization should be remembered. This should be in your own words and include reasons based on what you have found in your research.
Remember to also list your resources, and check that you are using proper grammar and spelling!

Your project can be created using Google Slides or Google Docs.
Each G.R.A.P.E.S. topic should have at least four sentences that fully explain that topic for your civilization.
Remember to include your sources at the end! This includes the lessons you used or any outside websites.

1 answer

For this project, I have chosen to research the ancient civilization of Egypt. Here is a brief overview of the G.R.A.P.E.S. characteristics of ancient Egypt:

Geography:
- Ancient Egypt was located in the northeastern corner of Africa, along the Nile River.
- The landscape of ancient Egypt was dominated by the Nile River, which provided fertile land for agriculture.
- The desert surrounding the Nile River provided protection from invaders, but also presented challenges in terms of isolation and limited resources.

Religion:
- The ancient Egyptians believed in a pantheon of gods and goddesses, with each deity representing different aspects of nature and society.
- The most famous religious practice in ancient Egypt was the worship of the Pharaoh as a living god.
- The Egyptians also believed in the afterlife, with elaborate burial practices and tombs designed to ensure a smooth transition to the next world.

Achievements:
- Ancient Egypt is known for its impressive architectural achievements, including the construction of the pyramids and temples.
- The Egyptians excelled in fields such as mathematics, medicine, and astronomy.
- They also developed a form of writing known as hieroglyphics, which was used for religious texts and official inscriptions.

Politics:
- Ancient Egypt was ruled by a Pharaoh, who held absolute power and was considered a divine ruler.
- The Pharaoh appointed high officials to help govern the kingdom and oversee various aspects of society.
- The Pharaoh was assisted by a bureaucracy of scribes and administrators.

Economics:
- Ancient Egypt's economy was based on agriculture, with the Nile River providing fertile land for crops such as wheat and barley.
- The Egyptians also engaged in trade with neighboring regions, exchanging goods such as gold, ivory, and luxury items.
- The government collected taxes in the form of agricultural produce, which sustained the economy and allowed for the construction of monumental structures.

Social Structure:
- Ancient Egyptian society was hierarchical, with the Pharaoh at the top of the social pyramid.
- Beneath the Pharaoh were nobles, priests, and officials, followed by artisans, farmers, and laborers.
- Slavery was also practiced in ancient Egypt, with slaves often used for menial labor.

In conclusion, ancient Egypt should be remembered for its enduring legacy of monumental architecture, advancements in science and mathematics, and unique religious beliefs. The civilization's contributions to human knowledge and culture have had a lasting impact on the world.

Sources:
- Ancient History Encyclopedia. "Ancient Egypt." ancient.eu/egypt/
- National Geographic. "Ancient Egypt." nationalgeographic.com/culture/ancient-egypt/