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LESSON PLAN

4th – 8th Egyptian Grade Level: The Myth Unwrapped Duration: 50 minutes BACKGROUND Wisconsin Standards: 5000 years ago, Ancient Egyptians by their mummification process. Social Studies - Geography perfected the art of mummification, While learning about the gods and A.4.4; History B.4.1,3; creating not only lasting preservation goddesses of , students Behavioral Sciences of their dead, but also intimate will know where in the world they E.4.8,11; snapshots of their lifestyle and can find mummies. By the end of the E.12.10; spiritual beliefs. Through a dynamic program, students will understand Language Arts - Oral 50 minute interactive program, the significance of mummification C.4-12.3 students will witness the step-by-step to ancient Egyptians as well as mummification process and find out understand the role mummies played National Standards: why, though Egyptians were not the in cultures of the past and present. Technology - Technology first to mummify, we are fascinated Communication Skills NT.K-12.4

Common Core State Standards: FOCUS QUESTION English Language Arts Standards • What is a ? And what can we learn from them? - Speaking & Listening: CCSS.ELA - Literacy - SL.4-8.1-3 STUDENT OBJECTIVES MATERIALS Students will be able to: • Pens/Pencils • List 3 countries in the world where • Paper for notes mummies have been found.

• Learn what makes a mummy unique. TEACHER PREPARATION • Discuss why ancient Egyptians • Gather materials mummified their dead.

• Name three ways mummies were used for non-scientific purposes.

• Explain the step-by-step mummification process.

• Identify Egyptian gods and goddesses and explain how ancient Egyptian spiritual beliefs relate to the mummification process. Coffin of Padi-Heru

1 MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM | 800 W. Wells St. Milwaukee, WI 53233-1478 | 414-278-6146 | www.mpm.edu LESSON PLAN Egyptian Mummies: The Myth Unwrapped

Coffin Fragment Hieroglyphic c. 1000-970 BCE

PROCEDURE EXTENSION Prior to the program, discuss with your • Have the students make an students what they already know about apple mummy to further explore mummies and ancient Egyptians. Ask the mummification process. See Post them to think about not only what Activity: Make an Apple Mummy. they know, but what they want to learn about mummies. Have them write • Have students read and discuss down any questions they may want The Story of and . to ask during the program. Connect • Have students create and complete to Milwaukee Public Museum. Should a K.W.L. Fold a plain piece of typing you have any difficulty connecting, paper into thirds. Label each section call 414-412-7059. K (what they know or knew), W (what they wanted to learn) and L (what

they learned). Depending on

age, students can draw a picture

corresponding to each column.

Teachers can also use this activity

as an assessment of their students.

2 MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM | 800 W. Wells St. Milwaukee, WI 53233-1478 | 414-278-6146 | www.mpm.edu LESSON PLAN Egyptian Mummies: The Myth Unwrapped VOCABULARY WORDS

Mummy: a corpse that has been Amulets: an object that keeps a preserved through dehydration, person from trouble; usually a small whether through natural or human charm, stone, or other object used to processes. bring the wearer luck or protect from evil or harm. Pharaonic pose: position in which the arms are crossed over the chest, : the dung beetle, a sacred typically used to indicate royal status. figure in ancient . A “heart scarab” would be placed over : figurines or statues buried the heart of the deceased as a symbol with Egyptian royalty, representing of rebirth. their servants for the . Tools and size indicate the ushabti’s role. Cartonnage: a paper mâché like final wrapping on a mummy. Made of linen Per nefer: place of purification. This of papyrus soaked in a plaster-like is a building where the recently substance. These final wrappings are deceased were brought to begin the stylized and a used as a diagnostic Canopic Jars c. 875-775 BCE mummification process by washing method by scientist to determine when the body in the water of the Nile. and where a mummy was mummified.

Natron: “divine salt;” a naturally Anthropoid coffin: human-shaped. occurring salt found in certain parts This refers to the coffins roughly of the Egyptian desert. It is similar shaped like a human body. to a mixture of table salt and baking soda and was used extensively in the Wedjat Eyes/Eye of : the eyes Egyptian mummification process. of the falcon-headed god Horus, son of Osiris. Represents protection, healing, Resin: hydrocarbon secretion of renewed perfection, and power. They many plants, particularly coniferous were placed around the edge of coffins trees. A sticky substance used in the so that the mummy could see out into mummification process to help protect the world. the body and its wrappings from moisture and insects. Sarcophagus: from Greek, “flesh- eater.” These are typically large carved Canopic jars: stone or pottery jars stone receptacles within a tomb in used by ancient Egyptians to store which coffins would be placed. specific mummified body parts, particularly the lungs, liver, stomach, Ba: the part of an Egyptian’s soul Example of a Scarab Necklace and intestines. The lids of the jars are representing their personality. The ba A54029/19771 typically formed in the shape of the was also the link between life on earth Before Treatment . and the afterlife.

3 MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM | 800 W. Wells St. Milwaukee, WI 53233-1478 | 414-278-6146 | www.mpm.edu LESSON PLAN Egyptian Mummies: The Myth Unwrapped EGYPTIAN GODS AND GODDESSES

Osiris: god of regeneration and Ma’at: goddess of truth and justice rebirth, judge of the dead in the who represents the proper order of the afterlife. The pharaohs were associated universe and correct action. An ostrich with Osiris in death and through feather from her headdress is weighed mummification, inherit eternal life against the heart of the deceased in through a process of imitative magic. the Weighing of the Heart ceremony Osiris was the first being to be and the ceremony takes place in the mummified in Egyptian mythology Hall of Ma’at, where Osiris sits in judgment. Horus: son of Osiris, the falcon- headed god. He is the god of the : ibis-headed god of knowledge, sky and closely associated with and who records the results of the protector of the Egyptian pharaohs. Weighing of the Heart ceremony.

Hapy: son of Horus, the baboon- Ammut: “the Devourer,” a demonness Horus, the god of the sky headed god. Watches over the lungs. who is part crocodile, lion, and hippo. c. 664-525 BCE If the deceased’s heart weighed more Imseti: son of Horus, a human-headed than the feather, the heart would be god. Watches over the liver. given to Ammut to devour, and the deceased would be doomed to wander : son of Horus, a the underworld without achieving falcon-headed god. Watches eternal life. over the intestines.

Duamutef: son of Horus, a jackal- headed god. Watches over the stomach.

Anubis: the jackal headed god. Traditionally associated with death, mummies and mummification. would lead pharaohs through the underworld to the Weighing of the Heart ceremony, which he helped Anubis, the god associated with supervise. death and mummification c. 450-200 BCE

4 MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM | 800 W. Wells St. Milwaukee, WI 53233-1478 | 414-278-6146 | www.mpm.edu