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DK Find Out! | Fun Facts for Kids on Animals, Earth, History and more!

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Visit DK Find Out! to learn about dinosaurs, space, animals, nature & more. Fun learning activities for kids with videos, quizzes & galleries at DKFindOut.com

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The Great Sphinx is at Giza near Cairo in Egypt. It sits in a depression to the south of the pyramid of the Pharaoh Khafre (Chephren) at the west bank of the Nile River. The Sphinx is a stone sculpture of a creature with a human head and a lion's body. The greatest monumental sculpture in the ancient world, its body is 200 feet (60m)long and 65 feet (20m) tall. Its face is 13 feet (4m) wide.

An accumulating body of evidence, both archaeological and geological, shows the Sphinx is far older than the 4th Dynasty (2575-2467 BCE) and was restored by Khafre during his reign. The name 'Sphinx' means 'strangler' but the purpose of the Sphinx is not known. Some archaeologists assume that it was a memorial to a Pharaoh or that it functioned as some sort of talisman or guardian god. Other scholars believe the Sphinx as an astronomical observation device that marked the position of the rising sun on the day of the spring equinox in the time of Leo the Lion.

The statue is eroding today because of wind and humidity and the smog from Cairo. Attempts to restore it have often caused more harm than good. Present attempts at restoration are under the control of the Supreme Council of Antiquities' archaeologists. They are working to drain away underground water.

Construction

The Sphinx is a monolith carved into the bedrock of the plateau, which also served as the quarry for the pyramids and other monuments in the area. The nummulitic limestone of the area consists of layers which offer differing resistance to erosion (mostly caused by wind and windblown sand), leading to the uneven degradation apparent in the Sphinx's body. The lowest part of the body, including the legs, is solid rock. The body of the lion up to its neck is fashioned from softer layers that have suffered considerable disintegration. The layer in which the head was sculpted is much harder.

Origin and identity

The Great Sphinx is one of the world's largest and oldest statues, but basic facts about it are still subject to debate, such as when it was built, by whom and for what purpose.

Names of the Sphinx

It is impossible to identify what name the creators called their statue, as the Great Sphinx does not appear in any known inscription of the Old Kingdom and there are no inscriptions anywhere describing its construction or its original purpose. In the New Kingdom, the Sphinx was called Hor-em-akhet ( English: Horus of the Horizon; Hellenized: Harmachis), and the pharaoh Thutmose IV (1401-1391 or 1397-1388 BC) specifically referred to it as such in his "Dream Stele."

The commonly used name " Sphinx" was given to it in classical antiquity, about 2000 years after the commonly accepted date of its construction by reference to a Greek mythological beast with a lion's body, a woman's head and the wings of an eagle (although, like most Egyptian sphinxes, the Great Sphinx has a man's head and no wings).

Builder and timeframe

It's thought by modern Egyptology that the Great Sphinx was built in approximately 2500 BC for the pharaoh Khafra, the builder of the Second Pyramid at Giza.

There is not one single inscription which connects the Sphinx with Khafre; so the evidence that Khafra built it is still not proven.

A diorite statue of Khafre, which was discovered buried upside down along with other debris in the Valley Temple, is supports the Khafra theory.

Missing nose and beard

The one-metre-wide nose on the face is missing. Examination of the Sphinx's face shows that long rods or chisels were hammered into the nose, one down from the bridge and one beneath the nostril, then used to pry the nose off towards the south.

There is a story that the nose was broken off by a cannonball fired by Napoleon's soldiers. Other variants indict British troops, the Mamluks, and others. Sketches of the Sphinx by the Dane Frederic Louis Norden, made in 1737 and published in 1755 show the Sphinx missing its nose. This predates Napoleon's birth in 1769.

In addition to the lost nose, a ceremonial pharaonic beard is thought to have been attached, although this may have been added in later periods after the original construction. Egyptologist Vassil Dobrev has suggested that had the beard been an original part of the Sphinx, it would have damaged the chin of the statue upon falling. The lack of visible damage supports his theory that the beard was a later addition.

Residues of red pigment are visible on areas of the Sphinx's face. Traces of yellow and blue pigment have been found elsewhere on the Sphinx, that might mean it "was once painted in comic book like colors".

Images for kids

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The Great Sphinx is at Giza near Cairo in Egypt. It sits in a depression to the south of the pyramid of the Pharaoh Khafre (Chephren) at the west bank of the Nile River. The Sphinx is a stone sculpture of a creature with a human head and a lion's body.

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In general, a Sphinx can be defined as a mythological creature that has the body of a lion and the head of a person. In Ancient Egypt, people built sphinx statues to guard important areas like tombs and temples.

The Great Sphinx of Giza is the most famous one. It is the greatest monumental stone sculpture of the ancient world. It is 241 feet long, 20 feet wide and 66 feet high. It is located near the Pyramids of Giza, near Cairo in Africa 's Egypt.
Quick Facts: -

The face of the sphinx is generally believed to represent the face of the Pharaoh Khafra.

The Great Sphinx of Giza has no nose. There are many theories but no one has an exact idea of what happened to its nose. Nose of the statue was about 1 meter wide.

It is believed that the monument has been carved out of a single ridge of limestone around 2558 to 2532 BC.

This sculpture remained mostly covered by sand for thousands of years.

It is one of the most iconic symbols of Egypt. It was named as 'Abul-hol' by the Bedouins meaning the 'father of terror'.

No inscriptions have been found yet to indicate that who built this immense sculpture.

The Great Sphinx is believed by some scholars to have a beard.

The purpose of this sculpture is not known.

The Sphinx has a serpent like tail that wraps around the right paw.

When the statue was restored from the sand in 1816, a small temple of chapel was discovered between the paws of the statue.

An Italian Egyptologist Giovanni Battista Caviglia excavated Giza. He also found small broken parts of the beard and tip of the Uraeus between the paws of the Sphinx.

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The Great Sphinx of Giza Fun Facts for Kids

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In general, a Sphinx can be defined as a mythological creature that has the body of a lion and the head of a person. In Ancient Egypt, people built sphinx statues to guard important areas like tombs and temples. The Great Sphinx of Giza is the most famous one.

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Kids learn about the civilization of ancient Egypt including the pharaohs, pyramids, art, government, geography, Nile River, mummies, religion, hieroglyphics, and clothing. Educational articles for students, schools, and teachers.

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Ancient Egypt Facts For Kids - History Lessons in [year]

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Ancient Egypt was a fascinating time in History. We've got everything you need to know right here, plus some super fun facts. Doing a project on Ancient Egypt, or just want to find out more? Then read on for some interesting facts about Ancient Egypt.

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Join us, ancient explorers, as we head back 5,000 years through history to discover fascinating facts about Ancient Egypt, from its ancient beginnings to Egypt today...
Discover facts about Ancient Egypt below or skip to our facts about modern-day Egypt.

Facts about Ancient Egypt

1) Most Ancient Egyptian pyramids were built as tombs for pharaohs (rulers of Ancient Egypt) and their families. To date, over 130 pyramids have been discovered in Egypt.

2) The afterlife was incredibly important to the Egyptians. They believed that by preserving a dead person's body - which they did through the process of mummification - their soul would live on in the afterlife forever.

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3) The Pyramid of Khufu at Giza is the largest Egyptian pyramid. This incredible structure weighs as much as 16 Empire State buildings!

4) Both Egyptian men and women wore make-up. The eye paint was usually green (made from copper) or black (made from lead). As well as offering protection from the sun, the Egyptians believed make-up had magical healing powers, too!

5) Unwrapped, the bandages of an Ancient Egyptian mummy could stretch for 1.6km. Yikes!

6) The Egyptian alphabet contained more than 700 hieroglyphs! Uncover the meaning behind these ancient symbols by checking out our awesome hieroglyphics feature.

7) Ancient Egyptians believed in more than 2,000 deities! They had gods for everything, from dangers to chores! Each had different responsibilities and needed to be worshipped so that life could be kept in balance.

Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable Ancient Egypt primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!

8) Cats were considered sacred animals by the Ancient Egyptians. It's thought that most families kept a cat as a pet, which they believed would bring the household good luck!

9) Love playing board games with your pals? Well, gang, so did the Ancient Egyptians! One popular game was , which was played for over 2,000 years! The game involved throwing sticks (in the same way we throw dice) to see how many squares to move your piece forward on the board.

10) The Ancient Egyptians invented lots of things we still use today, such as paper, pens, locks and keys and - believe it or not - toothpaste!

If you enjoyed these facts about Ancient Egypt, make sure you check out our other Ancient Egypt pages! Discover the Nile River, figure out hieroglyphics and learn about Ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses.

Country fact file: Egypt today

Incredible ancient monuments, scorching deserts and bustling cities - this ancient country is now a sprawling, modern landscape! Read on to learn about the Egypt of today...

Egyptian flag

OFFICIAL NAME: Arab Republic of Egypt
FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Republic
CAPITAL: Cairo
POPULATION: 87, 562, 261
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Arabic
MONEY: Egyptian pound, guinay
AREA: 1,001,449 square kilometres
MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Eastern Highlands
MAJOR RIVER: Nile
FLAG:

Map of Egypt

Egypt: geography and landscape

Without the Nile River, all of Egypt would be desert. Only about an 2.5cm of rain falls throughout Egypt each year. But each summer, the Nile river rises because of rains at its source, far to the south in Ethiopia. When this happens, floods cover the river's valleys, leaving sediments needed for trees, plants and crops to grow.

Egypt is often divided into two sections - Upper Egypt in the south and Lower Egypt in the north. The sections are named this way because the Nile flows from south to north. The river empties into the Mediterranean Sea, on the country's north coast.

Southern Egypt's landscape contains low mountains and desert. Northern Egypt has wide valleys near the Nile, and desert to the east and west. North of Cairo (Egypt's capital city) is the sprawling, triangular Nile River Delta. This fertile land is completely covered with farms.

Egypt's incredible nature

Egypt is home to a wide variety of animals and plants, including cheetahs, hyenas, crocodiles and cobras. The best places to see Egypt's wildlife are in its 21 protected regions, which include oases, deserts, mountains, coastal areas, river islands and wetlands.

Egyptians have always been close to the natural world. The ancient Egyptians left paintings and carvings (which can still be seen today!) of large animals like elephants, hippos, leopards and cheetahs. These animals were once common in Egypt, but they are now rare or extinct because of hunting and habitat loss.

The history of Egypt

The first people to live on the banks of the Nile were hunters and fishermen, who settled there over 8,000 years ago. They learned to grow crops and raise animals, and they began to build villages and towns. They traded with their neighbours and learned to sail boats. By 3000 B.C., a civilisation was established.

Around 3100 B.C., the kingdoms of Upper and Lower Egypt were unified under a powerful king, later called a pharaoh. These kings built huge pyramids, temples and other impressive monuments. They also conquered other lands.

By 1000 B.C., Egypt had split into smaller parts and the kingdom was in decline. Strong neighbours attacked and took over Egyptian territory - in 31 B.C., Egypt fell under Roman control and centuries later, in A.D. 640, Muslim warriors took over Egypt. These Arab forces ruled Egypt for several centuries and founded the modern capital, Cairo.

In 1882, the British invaded and occupied Egypt. The British wanted control of the Suez Canal, which linked the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea and greatly shortened the sailing trip from Asia to Europe. The British stayed until Egypt declared independence in 1952.

Egyptian people and culture

About 90 percent of Egyptians are Muslim, which means they are followers of the Islam religion. About ten percent of Egyptians are Copts, one of the oldest branches of the Christian religion.

Egypt's population is growing rapidly. This puts strain on Egypt's resources, since most people live in a narrow strip of land along the Nile River. Having so many people in such a small area causes overcrowding everywhere, from schools and hospitals to apartment buildings and public transport.

Children are highly valued in Egypt, especially in rural areas where they help on family farms. Children are also expected to look after their parents in their old age.

Egyptian government and economy

Egypt's geography, population, history and military strength have made it highly influential in the region. Egypt is a democratic republic, although some critics claim that it is not truly democratic. Until 2005, there was never more than one presidential candidate to vote for.

Egypt's most valuable resources are oil and gas, which are exported to other countries. Other exports include metals, textiles, livestock and chemical products. Tourism is also an important part of Egypt's economy, with visitors flocking to see the famous ancient monuments and to enjoy the country's beautiful beaches.

Want to learn more about awesome ancient cultures? Then check out our Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece features. Plus, discover more amazing facts from around the world in National Geographic Kids magazine!

Image credits: Egypt map: National Geographic Maps. Mosque in Egypt: Rraheb, Dreamstime. Man pouring juice, Cairo, Egypt: Jackmalipan, Dreamstime. Outdoor cafe in Cairo, Egypt: Jackmalipan, Dreamstime. Sphinx and pyramid at Giza, Egypt: Javarman, Dreamstime. All other photographs and illustrations: Getty Images UK

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10 Facts About Ancient Egypt | National Geographic Kids

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Discover incredible facts about Ancient Egypt with Nat Geo Kids! Learn about the country's ancient & modern history, pyramids and more...

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Ancient Egypt Facts for Kids | Classroom History Video

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Ancient Egyptian History for Kids: Pyramids

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Kids learn about Ancient Egyptian Pyramids. The great structures of this world civilization.

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Egyptian Pyramids

The pyramids that we see in Egypt today continue to be 'Wonders of the World'. They were built thousands of years ago and yet still stand. The ancient Egyptians created the pyramids as burial tombs to honor their pharaohs and since they believe them to be both man and god, they made the pyramids in a grand style.

It's believed that the original burial tombs for pharaohs and high ranking officials were flat monuments called 'mastabas'. Over the years, each new burial tomb would have another smaller layer added to the top until they began to look like steps. The building of pyramids reached its height in the Old Kingdom time, between the Fourth and Sixth Dynasties; 2575 BC to 2150 BC. There are over 70 pyramids near the Nile River. It is thought that the first smooth sided pyramid was built between the years of 2680 to 2560 BC for the pharaoh King Snefru.

Archeological excavations have found that unlike what most people might think, the pyramids were not built by slaves, but were Egyptians that lived in the area. They have found living areas that appear to be for the laborers and their families in an almost community style. The villages seem to be set up with shops, houses, butcher shops and even bakeries for the thousands of loaves of bread that was needed to feed the workers.

There was a lot of planning that went into building a pyramid. Because of the weight, the location had to be on firm rock because building on sand would cause it to collapse. Specific measurements had to be made on the base size width and length. This was one of the most important decisions because it they were off, the pyramid would fall. Rock was cut out from quarries that were often quite a distance and carried on boats on the River Nile to the pyramid location. There were millions of pieces of rock that had to be just the right size to fit in place.

Egyptologists are not really sure how the ancient Egyptians managed to get the heavy rock, often weighing many tons up to build the pyramids. Some think that they used ramps, while others think that they may have used sand to release and balance. There are many people throughout the world today that have tried to build smaller pyramids to figure out exactly how it was done.

One of the things that everyone notices about the pyramids of Egypt is that they are incredibly large. The smallest of the Giza pyramids is over 200 ft high. The pyramid built by the pharaoh Khufu (pronounced Koo-foo) was originally 480 ft high and is made up of over 2.3 million stone blocks. Each of the blocks weighs about 5,000 lbs and had to be cut to the right size, brought to the pyramid and put in place by hand. The engineers of ancient Egypt were familiar with the difficult mathematics that were involved in creating a structure of such size.

If building the pyramids isn't enough of a challenge, the ancient Egyptian engineers planned the blocks so that there were inner chambers and tunnels. It was thought that the pyramid chambers were for the burial of the pharaohs. Some of the huge stone burial sarcophagus have been found inside the pyramids but never any of the mummies or anything that would have been buried with the pharaoh.

Once a pyramid was completed, it had armed guards to try to protect it from tomb raiders. The tombs were raided on such a regular basis that it is thought that the secrets were told to others by the builders. If anyone was caught raiding a pharaoh's tomb, it was an instance death sentence.

The pyramids that we see today have crumbled quite a bit and don't look at all like they would have upon completion. Once all of the stones were in place, the entire pyramid was covered in white limestone and the top or cap of the pyramid would have been tipped in gold. In the bright Egyptian sunshine, the white and the gold would have gleamed brightly.

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Ancient Egyptian Pyramid Facts - History for Kids

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The pyramids that we see in Egypt today continue to be 'Wonders of the World'. They were built thousands of years ago and yet still stand. The ancient Egyptians created the pyramids as burial tombs to honor their pharaohs and since they believe them to be both man and god, they made the pyramids in ...

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Egyptian Pyramid Facts

Enjoy our range of interesting Ancient Egyptian pyramid facts for kids.

Learn about the first pyramid built in Egypt, the Great Pyramid of Giza, important burial sites such as Saqqara, what Egyptians put in burial tombs, where the famous mask of Tutankhamun was discovered and much more. Read on and have fun learning about Ancient Egyptian pyramids.

Ancient Egyptian pyramids are the most well known pyramid structures.

Most Ancient Egyptian pyramids were built as tombs for Pharaohs and their families.

Over 130 pyramids have been discovered in Egypt.

The first Egyptian pyramid is believed to be the Pyramid of Djoser, it was built in Saqqara around 4650 years ago (2640 BC).

Saqqara is a huge ancient burial ground built near the Egyptian city of Memphis.

The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis.

Also known as the Pyramid of Khufu, it is the oldest of the Ancient Wonders of the World and the last one still largely intact.

For over 3800 years, the Great Pyramid of Giza was the tallest man made structure in the world.

Although it has lost around 10 metres (33 feet) in height, it still stands around 146 metres (480 feet) above the ground.

As well as Giza and Saqqara, important Egyptian Pyramid sites include Dashur, Abusir, Meidum, Lisht, Abu Rawash and others.

Nearly all Egyptian Pyramids are located on the west bank of the Nile.

Egyptian Pyramids often contain multiple chambers and passages.

Bodies placed in the tombs were preserved by mummification.

Egyptians buried their dead with burial goods that ranged from everyday items they believed would useful in the afterlife to more expensive items such as jewelry.

Tomb robbers targeted many of the royal tombs and most were eventually robbed.

One tomb that was left largely intact was that of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings. Rediscovered in 1922 by Howard Carter, this famous tomb is best known for the solid gold funerary mask of Tutankhamun.

Tutankhamun was a pharaoh from 1332 BC to 1323 BC.

Check out some more pyramid facts.

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Ancient Egyptian Pyramid Facts for Kids - Giza, Djoser, Saqqara, Tutankhamun

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Egyptian Pyramid Facts Enjoy our range of interesting Ancient Egyptian pyramid facts for kids. Learn about the first pyramid built in Egypt, the Great Pyramid of Giza, important burial sites such as Saqqara, what Egyptians put in burial tombs, where the famous mask of Tutankhamun was discovered and much more.

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In ancient Egypt, pyramids were built during the time of the Old Kingdom. Pyramids were tombs, royal tombs, where the ancient Egyptians buried their kings. The first pyramid was the Step Pyramid. It was built about 5,000 years ago! You could see it for miles!

Beautifully Decorated: Most pyramids were huge. They had rooms inside like store rooms, bedrooms, and even inside courtyards. Pyramids took many years to build. The inside walls of the pyramids were beautifully decorated.

False Doors: As well as messages and prayers and stories painted on the inside walls in hieroglyphics, the walls were also painted with fake doors. These were not painted to trick anyone into walking into a solid wall. Painted false doors were considered the connectors between the living and the dead.

Pyramid Cities: Cities grew up around the base of a pyramid that was under construction. These cities were called pyramid cities. Pharaoh provided food, shelter, and clothing for the workers and their families. This is how the workers were paid.

After the pyramid was built, the pyramid city continued to flourish. The workers might be gone, but in their place were guards. A pyramid had to be guarded. Pharaohs, like all ancient Egyptians, were buried with grave goods so they could enjoy their afterlife. A pharaoh's grave goods were made of gold and encrusted with jewels. Since pyramids were huge, there was no hiding them. Everybody knew that a pyramid held great wealth. This tempted many robbers. So the expense of a pyramid was not only in construction costs, it continued after the pyramid was built.

Tomb Robbing: To discourage theft, the punishment for robbing a tomb was severe. Traps and secret passages were built inside a pyramid to catch robbers. The pyramid was guarded. Just the same, robbers could not seem to resist the lure of the great wealth inside. Many tombs were successfully robbed.

After the time of the Old Kingdom, pyramids fell out of style. They cost a lot of time and money, and made it far too easy for robbers to know exactly where great wealth was buried.
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In ancient Egypt, pyramids were built during the time of the Old Kingdom . Pyramids were tombs, royal tombs, where the ancient Egyptians buried their kings. The first pyramid was the Step Pyramid. It was built about 5,000 years ago! You could see it for miles! Beautifully Decorated: Most pyramids were huge.

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Ceremony: Ceremony by 4 priests, one dressed as Anubis. The inner organs were removed and put in Canopic jars.

Natron: Linen cloth and natron were used as packing to replace the organs.

40 Days: The body was covered with natron and placed on a tilted slab. The natron remained on and in the body for at least 40 days to dry the body of fluids.

Makeup: Packing removed, incisions sewn, body rubbed with oils and resins, nostrils stuffed with wax, pads under eyes. Make up applied. First strips of linen wound around the body.

Decorate: Jewelry was used to decorate the body. Good luck charms, like ankhs, were tucked in the 20 layers. The ankh was the symbol for "life".

Mask: Face was covered with a mask so that the Ba and Ka could recognize the body. The mask was colored and was as lifelike as possible.

Sarcophagus (coffin): Then the Mummy was placed in a coffin or a series of coffins, each with a cartouche (name plate)

Procession: There was a procession by family and friends to the final resting place.

Mourners: Mourners wailed as priests prayed at the tomb door.

Tomb Door Sealed: The tomb door was locked and sealed.

Weighing of the Heart: The ancient Egyptians believed the gods performed the weighing of the heart ceremony (hidden from human sight). If the deceased (the mummy's) heart was light, and passed the test, he or she then boarded Ra's heavenly boat and sailed away to join Osiris in the shining land of the Two Fields for a wonderful eternity. If his or her heart wasnot light - oh dear - he or she would be gobbled up and disappear forever, never to reach eternity. To the ancient Egyptians, it was very important to keep their heart light by doing good deeds. Nobody wanted to be gobbled up! And nobody wanted to miss out on eternity.
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Ceremony: Ceremony by 4 priests, one dressed as Anubis. The inner organs were removed and put in Canopic jars. Natron: Linen cloth and natron were used as packing to replace the organs. 40 Days: The body was covered with natron and placed on a tilted slab.

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Egyptian Mummies

To understand Egyptian mummies you have to first know about their religious beliefs.

Ancient Egyptians believed in many gods and that when a person died they passed into an 'afterlife'.

The thought that the individual would have a life that was very close to the one that they lived in with everyone else.

In order to have that kind of life, their body needed to be preserved and they needed to be buried with all of the possessions that they would take with them on their journey into the afterlife.

Ancient Egypt had a successful society that lasted over 3,000 years.

The priests of ancient Egypt developed ways to preserve or 'mummify' a body so that it would last.

They mummified people as well as animals and archaeologists have found entire burial chambers just devoted to the burial of mummified cats.

While other animals were found, cats were the favorite and most loved pet of the ancient Egyptians.

The process

The process involved to create a mummy properly can take up to 70 days.

It is not only a physical procedure but the ancient Egyptians also involved their religious beliefs in the right way to create a mummy.

There were various steps to mummification:

1. The body must be purified and washed.

2. All internal organs were removed, however, they left the heart in place.

3. They filled in the body with a kind of stuffing so that it would look normal.

4. They had to 'dry' the body out, so they placed it in a naturally found substance called 'natron'. This was

5. almost like salt and it drew out all of the moisture in the body.

6. In about 40-50 days, they removed the body from natron and then replaced the original stuffing with new

7. stuffing made out of sawdust or linen.

8. The body was then carefully wrapped in layers of linen that covered every area of the body. Some special

9. oils were placed on the body to help in the preservation. A final covering was placed on it called a 'shroud'

10. The finished mummy was placed in a stone or wooden container called a 'sarcophagus'

The Body

The organs of the body that had been taken out were also mummified and placed in special containers that would be placed in the burial tomb with the body.

Both the sarcophagus and the jars containing the body parts were sealed with a black resin.

They left the heart in the body as they thought this was required for part of the test needed to enter the afterlife.

The believed the heart was the center of all intelligence and emotion, but they removed the brain, thinking it wasn't important.

The Pharaohs

Pharaohs had the most expensive mummification of all people.

Since the pharaoh was considered a god they included many gems and amulets in between the layers of linen wrapping.

They would also use a special sarcophagus for the pharaoh that was carved and painted in his likeness.

Some were decorated with gold. Others, had solid gold decorative masks placed on the head and face that looked like the pharaoh.

The pharaoh mummies were placed in special burial places along with many of the expensive items that they would take with them in the afterlife.

The Rich

Wealthy people would also have similar high quality mummies.Advertisement

Since it cost a lot of money to create a mummy, they were the only ones that could afford it.

Unlike the pharaoh, the burial tombs of the wealthy were usually in group burial grounds.

There were special religious burial rites that had to be performed by the temple priests at each step of the mummification.

This was done to help make sure that the person who had passed away would enter the afterlife properly.

There were special oils that were used that were purified by the priests, but were also developed over the years to help preserve the body.

Mummies have been discovered that are over 3,000 years old and when they are uncovered some still have hair and skin.

Facts about Egyptian Mummies

Ancient Egyptians believed that mummification was necessary to gain access to the afterlife

Mummification was really expensive

Animals such as bulls, crocodiles, cats, and falcons, were also mummified.

The Ancient Egyptians kept some of the body parts lungs, liver, stomach, and intestines in canopic jars.

It took about 70 days to complete the embalming of a body

The body was wrapped in linen and was then covered in a sheet called a shroud.

The mummy was placed in a stone coffin called a sarcophagus

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Egyptian Mummies Facts - History for Kids

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To understand Egyptian mummies you have to first know about their religious beliefs. Ancient Egyptians believed in many gods and that when a person died they passed into an 'afterlife'. The thought that the individual would have a life that was very close to the one that they lived in with everyone else.

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It was very important to ancient Egyptian religious beliefs that the human body was preserved. A method of artificial preservation, called mummification was developed by the ancient Egyptians. Mummification was a complicated and lengthy process which lasted up to 70 days.

What are mummies?

A mummy is the body of a person (or an animal) that has been preserved after death.

Who were the mummies?

They were any Egyptian who could afford to pay for the expensive process of preserving their bodies for the afterlife.

Why did the Egyptians make mummies?

The Egyptians believed in life after death. They believed that they had to preserve their bodies so they could use them in the afterlife.

What is the afterlife?

The Egyptians believed that when they died, they would make a journey to another world where they would lead a new life. They would need all the things they had used when they were alive, so their families would put those things in their graves. Egyptians paid vast amounts of money to have their bodies properly preserved. Egyptians who were poor were buried in the sand whilst the rich ones were buried in a tomb.

What was the name of the process the Egyptians used to preserve their bodies?

It was called mummification.

How were mummies made?

It took a very long time, from start to finish, it took about 70 days to embalm a body. The priest in charge would wear the mask of a jackal representing the god Anubis.

1. The body was washed and purified.
2. Organs were removed. Only the heart remained.
3. The body was filled with stuffing.
4. The body was dried by covering it with a substance called natron*. This substance absorbed all the moisture from the body.
5. After 40 - 50 days the stuffing was removed and replaced with linen or sawdust.
6. The body was wrapped in strands of linen and covered in a sheet called a shroud.
7. The body was placed in a stone coffin called a sarcophagus.

The mummy was now ready for its journey to the afterlife.

*What is natron?

Natron is a natural salt, composed of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate with traces of sodium chloride and sodium sulfate. It was used by the ancient egyptians to dry out the bodies.

Why did they leave the heart in the body?

The Egyptians thought the heart was the centre of intelligence and emotion.

Who was the god of mummification?

Anubis was the god of mummification. He had a human body and the head of a jackal. His job was to prepare the bodies of the dead to be received by Osiris.

What objects did they put in Egyptian Tombs?

Ancient Egyptians were buried with their belongings and the tomb walls were painted with scenes from the dead persons life. The objects included furniture, games and even food was placed in the tombs for the long After Life journey!

What are canopic jars?

Canopic Jars were used by ancient Egyptians to hold mummified remains.
Find out more

Where were Egyptians who were poor buried?

The poor Egyptians were buried in the sand. Only the rich ones were buried in a tomb

Where were the pharaohs buried?

In the Old and Middle Kingdoms (2628-1638 BC), Egyptian kings were buried in pyramids. About 50 royal pyramids have survived. They were built on the desert edge, west of the ancient capital of Memphis.

What are pyramids?

The pyramids are the stone tombs of Egypt's kings - the Pharaohs.
Find out more about pyramids

Why did the Ancient Egyptians build pyramids?

The Egyptians believed that if the pharaoh's body could be mummified after death the pharaoh would live forever. The tombs were designed to protect the buried Pharaoh's body and his belongings.
Further Information
Prepare a Mummy
A fun interactive online activity.

Interesting facts about Mummies
Making a Mummy
Learn to make a mummy and prepare the pharaoh for his tomb.s

You wouldn't want to become an Egyptian Mummy -
Disgusting things you'd rather not know!
All about Egyptian Mummies
MummificationSee the pictures of the materials and tools used in mummification.

Animal Mummies - Compass Site ( The British Museum )
Why did the ancient Egyptians mummify their cats, dogs, crocodiles, birds, even eels? Follow this tour to find out.
Death and the Afterlife by Mark Telford, Aged 8yrs
The Egyptians believed that when they died they would make a journey to another world where they would lead a new life. They would need all the things they had used when they were alive, so their families would put those things in their graves. Egyptians paid vast amounts of money to have their bodies properly preserved - trained undertakers treated the body with chemicals and wrapped it in tight bandages to keep it in shape.
Read more ....

Click able Mummy
Click on different parts of the Mummy you will see, to view interesting facts and information about the mummification process.

Mummification
In order to go to the underworld, you had to be mummified......

Make your own Mummy
Instructions on how to make your own Mummy.

Mummies of Ancient Egypt
What are mummies?
How are mummies made?
Who were the mummies?

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Ancient Egypt Mummies and the Afterlife for Kids

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It was very important to ancient Egyptian religious beliefs that the human body was preserved. A method of artificial preservation, called mummification was developed by the ancient Egyptians. Mummification was a complicated and lengthy process which lasted up to 70 days. What are mummies?

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Want to make sure a body gets reunited with its spirit in the afterlife? Then join us here at National Geographic Kids as we head to Ancient Egypt to see how they made their mummies...!

1. First wash the dead body in wine and Nile water. Make a cut in the side and take out the organs. To get to the brain, shove a hook up the nose and jiggle it about. Then pull out this useless organ* and chuck it away.

2. Clean the liver, lungs, intestines and stomach, then pop them in four special canopic jars whose lids look like the gods that guard them. The heart will need to be put back in the body, though, as it's the centre of intelligence*.

3. Use a special Egyptian salt called natron to fill up the cavities and cover up the body. This will get rid of all the moisture. Leave it for about 40 days to dry out completely.

4. Next, scoop out the natron and stuff the body with spices, rags and plants so it doesn"t lose its shape.

5. Wrap up the body in fine linen bandages. Don't forget to tuck in some lucky amulets, and then utter spells to activate their magical protective powers. When the wrapping is all done, put the mummy in a coffin. Then put that coffin in a coffin, and that coffin in another one and so on. Then place the whole lot in a tomb.

Cool but creepy, eh?! Check out this cool clip for more about the Ancient Egyptians and how they made their mummies...

* They had some funny ideas, those Ancient Egyptians!

Illustrations: Marek Jagucki

Be sure to read our other fab features about Ancient Egypt, too...

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How to Make a Mummy! - National Geographic Kids

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Join us here at National Geographic Kids to find out how the Ancient Egyptians made their mummies!

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Ancient Egypt Mummies for Kids - What is a MUMMY?

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... Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images

Ancient Egyptians buried their dead in a decorative coffin, known as a sarcophagus. Some buried their loved ones in multiple sarcophagi that were nested one inside the other with the smallest, innermost coffin housing the mummified body. The Egyptians were deeply interested in spiritual matters, so the mummification process, funeral processions and the afterlife were important parts of their customs and culture. A decorated sarcophagus provided a means of helping the dead stay connected to the living in the afterlife. Pharaohs typically had several sarcophagi that were ornately decorated with spiritual symbols.

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How Did Ancient Egyptians Decorate a Sarcophagus for Pharaohs? | Synonym

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Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images Ancient Egyptians buried their dead in a decorative coffin, known as a sarcophagus. Some buried their loved ones in multiple sarcophagi that were nested one inside the other with the smallest, innermost coffin housing the mummified body.

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Ancient Egyptian History for Kids: Mummies

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Kids learn about Ancient Egyptian Mummies. The afterlife of this world civilization.

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Ancient Egyptian Biography for Kids: Cleopatra VII

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Kids learn about the biography of Cleopatra VII of Ancient Egypt. The last Pharaoh and friends of Romans Julius Caesar and Marc Antony.

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Cleopatra, an Egyptian Queen was one of the most famous women in history. She ruled ancient Egypt for 21 long years. She was the last Pharaoh of Egypt. Her full name was Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator. From the age of 14 to 18 she co-ruled Egypt together with her father Ptolemy XII.

Her father died when she was 18 years old leaving the throne to Cleopatra and her younger brother Ptolemy XIII. Her brother was only 10 years old at that time. She married her brother according to Egyptian culture and became a co-ruler. She quickly took control as the main ruler.
Quick Facts: -

Cleopatra was born in Egypt but was actually a Macedonian Greek. She was the first ruler who learned to speak and write in Egyptian.

She was a real linguistic person. She knew at least 9 different languages.

Ptolemaic Egypt was one of the greatest powers of that time.

She has been more renowned for her intellect than her beauty.

Cleopatra studied various different subjects like mathematics, philosophy, astronomy, oratory etc.

It is believed by most of the historians that Cleopatra was responsible for killing all three of her own siblings.

She made an ally of the ruler of Rome Julius Caesar. She gave birth to Caesar's son.

She lived in Rome as Caesar's mistress and returned to Egypt after his assassination in 44 BC.

After that, she married another powerful Roman leader, Mark Antony and they had three children together.

Mark Antony committed suicide when he was given the false news of Cleopatra's death.

When Cleopatra heard that Antony was dead she also killed herself by allowing a poisonous Cobra bite her.

Cleopatra's son was killed at the age of 17 on the order of Octavian who was the adoptive child of Julius Caesar.

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Cleopatra, an Egyptian Queen was one of the most famous women in history. She ruled ancient Egypt for 21 long years. She was the last Pharaoh of Egypt. Her full name was Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator. From the age of 14 to 18 she co-ruled Egypt together with her father Ptolemy XII.

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Famous Queens Facts There have been some amazing, fearless and brave queens over the ages that have changed history forever. Here we take a look at the most famous queens of all times. You'll certainly know all about royalty after you've read all this!

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the Story of Cleopatra - an animated movie

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Horrible Histories Song - Cleopatra - CBBC

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Most people in ancient Egypt were afraid of one particular god - the god Ammut (also spelled Ammit.) Ammut was the god with the crocodile head. The ancient Egyptians believed if you did something really bad during your lifetime that the god Ammut might magically appear and eat you. With her crocodile head, she had the teeth to do so.

The god Ammut was always on hand after you died, in case she was needed. The ancient Egyptians believed that to enter your afterlife, your heart had to be light. You gained a light heart by doing many good deeds during your lifetime. After you died, on your way to your afterlife, you had to travel through the Hall of Maat. The god Anubis weighed your heart. The god Thoth (pictured above) recorded the findings. And the god Ammut stood by. If your heart was as a light as a feather, you passed Maat's test, and entered your afterlife. But, if your heart was heavy, Ammut would move swiftly and gobble you up.

Everyone wanted to enter their afterlife. So nearly everyone in ancient Egypt did many good deeds during their lifetime. Nobody wanted to be eaten by the dreaded god, Ammut, whose body was a mix of lion and hippo, and whose head was that of a crocodile, the three most dangerous man-eating animals in ancient Egypt.

Mummies & The Underworld Interactive Quiz about Ancient Egypt (with answers)

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Weighing of the Heart - Ancient Egypt for Kids - Ancient Egypt for Kids

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Most people in ancient Egypt were afraid of one particular god - the god Ammut (also spelled Ammit.) Ammut was the god with the crocodile head. The ancient Egyptians believed if you did something really bad during your lifetime that the god Ammut might magically appear and eat you.