History Alive Chapter 7 Notes (Google Slides Presentations)
7.1 Introduction
The Ancient Egyptians settled along the Nile River from 3100 B.C.E. to 350 C.E. The Israelites settled along the Medterranean Sea, northeast of Egypt, around 1800 B.C.E. Although they were displaced from their original settlement, their civilization continues today. The Kushites settled along the southern part of the Nile River from around 2000 B.C.E. until 350 C.E. The three environmental factors that played a large role in influencing settlement were water, topography, and vegetation.
7.2 Environmental Factors and Early Human Settlement
Physical features such as rivers and lakes provided the most important environmental factor in settlement, water. Water sources provided people fresh drinking water, the opportunity to bathe, a source of food, and a resource to assist farmers in growing crops. Furthermore, water was used for transportation to move from city to city and to trade goods. Topography refers to the shape and elevation of the land (mountains, hills, plains, valleys, etc.). Famers wanted to settle in flat lands for room to plant crops. Vegetation includes trees, flowers, grass, and crops that people grow. Vegetation was critical not only for crop growing, but also to give people resources such as plants to make baskets, tools, medicine, paper, etc.
7.3 Environmental Factors and the Early Settlement of Egypt and Kush
The most important physical feature in Egypt and Kush was the Nile River. The Nile created a long fertile valley that allowed for good soil for farming and settlement. The fertile valley was surrounded by deserts on both sides which also gave settlers a natural barrier for protection as few invaders would risk crossing the hot and dry deserts. Every summer the Nile River would flood and soak the dry ground. This would leave behind a layer of silt that was great for farming. Wildlife in the Nile River area included fish, ducks, geese, hippos, etc. The rich farmland was good for growing crops such as wheat and barley.
7.4 Environmental Factors and the Early Settlement of Canaan
Canaan was a diverse land along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea an area which included mountains, valleys, hills, plains, deserts, and bodies of water. The Jordan River flowed down from a mountain range through the middle of Canaan. Canaan included wet, fertile plains of the Mediterranean which provided for farming. The large Mediterranean Sea also allowed a passageway for traders to visit Canaan. Canaan’s main source of fresh water was the Jordan River. The Jordan River did not flood regularly so its valley was not as fertile as the Nile’s. Canaan’s hot and dry climate discouraged a lot of plant life.