Ancient Egyptian Plants and Animals

By: William Choi

January 19, 2011

Introduction

• Three areas of the Nile River and delta were home to a wide variety of plants and wildlife:– Marsh– Farmlands– Desert areas

Plants

• Papyrus – was used to make paper, sandals, boats, ropes, paintbrushes

• Lotus – (a.k.a. waterlily) sacred flower commonly depicted in art and sculpture

Animals• Hippopotami – Greek for

“river horse”; could devastate crops and were dangerous to boatmen

• Crocodiles – found in marshy areas, would eat people doing laundry or in the river; were honored as the god Sobek

Animals

• Cobra – (a.k.a. asp) became the symbol of all lower Egypt and of the Pharaoh

• Waterfowl – favored food for wealthy Egyptians

• Fish – considered unclean; not eaten by the wealthy

Ancient Egyptian Gods

• Wedjat – goddess of the city of Buto; associated with the Cobra

• Anubis – guardian of Egyptian afterlife, possibly styled after the jackal

• The sphinx was styled after the lion because it was considered noble

Any Questions??

Thank you!!