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### Ancient Civilizations of the Old World

#### Egypt - Before Civilization

Q: In what way is KMT (ancient Egypt) the “gift of the Nile?”

A: The Nile provided fertile soil, water for irrigation, and a transportation route, making civilization possible.

Q: What is the importance of Hierakonpolis for the emergence of Egypt and the concept of Egyptian kingship?

A: Hierakonpolis was a key center for religious and political development, housing early temples and symbols of kingship.

Q: Who was the god worshiped at Hierakonpolis, and what is the importance of this god?

A: Horus, the god of kingship, symbolized the divine authority of pharaohs.

Q: What is the evidence for contact between Pre-Dynastic Upper Egypt and Mesopotamia, and what are the implications of this contact in terms of state emergence?

A: Similarities in pottery, seals, and motifs suggest trade and cultural exchange, influencing state development.

Q: What was the relationship between Buto and regions outside of Egypt and the Nile Valley?

A: Buto engaged in trade with the Levant and Mesopotamia, introducing foreign goods and ideas.

Q: What was the relationship between Buto and Upper Egypt?

A: Buto served as a cultural and political intermediary, linking Lower Egypt with Upper Egypt.

Q: What events led to the unification of Lower and Upper Egypt?

A: Political consolidation, military conquest, and symbolic acts, as seen in the Narmer Palette.

Q: What does the iconography on the Scorpion Mace Head and Narmer Palette tell us about the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt?

A: It depicts kingship, military conquest, and the establishment of a unified state.

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#### Egypt - The 1st Territorial State

Q: What characterizes each of the major chronological periods (Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom, Late Period)?

A:

- Old Kingdom: Pyramid Age, centralized state.

- Middle Kingdom: Restored order, expanded trade.

- New Kingdom: Empire building, monumental architecture.

- Late Period: Foreign invasions and decline.

Q: How did the idea of the pyramid evolve?

A: From mastabas to stepped pyramids (e.g., Djoser) and finally to true pyramids like those at Giza.

Q: What was the nature of Egyptian kingship, and how did it differ from Mesopotamian kingship?

A: Egyptian kings were divine rulers tied to the gods, while Mesopotamian kings were intermediaries between gods and people.

Q: What factors contributed to the decline of the Old Kingdom and the onset of the 1st Intermediate Period?

A: Economic strain, decentralization of power, and climate challenges.

Q: What steps were taken during the Middle Kingdom to prevent the recurrence of the Old Kingdom's decline?

A: Reestablishment of centralized authority, irrigation projects, and military fortifications.

Q: How does the concept of kingship change over time from the Old to the Middle and to the New Kingdoms?

A: Kings shifted from godlike figures to shepherds of their people, focusing on governance and foreign policy.

Q: What factors contributed to the decline of the Middle Kingdom and the onset of the 2nd Intermediate Period?

A: Internal weaknesses and Hyksos invasions.

Q: What external influences introduced new art styles and cultural elements in Egypt during the Middle Kingdom?

A: Trade and interaction with the Levant and Nubia.

Q: What is the significance of Tutankhamun’s tomb?

A: It provided insight into New Kingdom burial practices and Egyptian art, as it was one of the few intact tombs found.

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#### Harappa - The Faceless Society

Q: Why is the Harappan civilization considered a faceless society?

A: Lack of evidence for centralized rulers or monuments to individuals.

Q: How does the Harappan civilization differ from Mesopotamia and Egypt?

A: It lacked monumental temples and palaces, emphasizing egalitarian urban planning.

Q: In what ways is the Harappan civilization similar to Mesopotamia and Egypt?

A: Use of standardized weights, trade networks, and advanced urban infrastructure.

Q: How does the Harappan civilization challenge our concept of the state?

A: It suggests a decentralized or collective form of governance.

Q: What factors contributed to the development of Harappan urbanization?

A: Agricultural surplus, trade, and riverine resources.

Q: What was the nature of interactions between the Indus Valley and Mesopotamia?

A: Trade of goods like cotton and carnelian, evidenced by Mesopotamian texts and Indus seals.

Q: Why do we know so little about the Harappan civilization compared to Egypt and Mesopotamia?

A: Its undeciphered script and lack of monumental inscriptions.

Q: What characterizes the transition from the Early Harappan Period to the Mature Harappan Period?

A: Growth of urban centers, standardization of artifacts, and expanded trade.

Q: How would you describe Mohenjo-daro during the Mature Harappan period?

A: A well-planned city with advanced drainage systems, granaries, and public baths.

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#### Shang China

Q: Should the Peiligang and Pengtoushan Cultures constitute a single culture or two different cultures?

A: Arguments exist for both, based on shared agricultural practices and distinct regional developments.

Q: What is the importance of Jiahu?

A: Early evidence of rice cultivation, proto-writing, and musical instruments.

Q: What evidence suggests conflict prior to the Shang state?

A: Fortifications, weapons, and skeletal remains indicating violence.

Q: What factors contributed to the rise of the Shang state?

A: Control of resources, military power, and advancements in metallurgy.

Q: How was social differentiation displayed during the Shang period?

A: Through burial practices, bronze vessels, and oracle bone inscriptions.

Q: What was the likely origin of Chinese writing?

A: Oracle bones used for divination, evolving into logographic writing.

Q: What was the “Mandate from Heaven,” and how did it justify dynastic changes?

A: A belief that rulers were chosen by divine will and could be replaced if they failed.

Q: Was the rise of the Shang state an isolated event in East Asia?

A: No, it paralleled developments in nearby cultures, suggesting regional interaction.