Below is a satellite photo of the Nile Valley and contiguous areas (scale at bottom left). Study it carefully, with respect to major physical features, elevations, arable and non-arable areas, bodies of water and navigable waterways, natural routes of communication, barriers to communication, relative distances, etc.

In order to understand important aspects of settlement, economy, political development and foreign relations, you will find it essential to know the locations of the most significant places in Egypt, as well as of those regions with which Egypt was in contact in antiquity. You should strive to master the locations of the place names in the following list as quickly as possible; I will make frequent reference to them in class. (Not all of the locations listed here are visible on the photo above.)

These places can be found on the maps in your textbooks and in a good world atlas. There will be a short quiz on Egyptian geography and chronology on Thursday, September 20. You will be provided with a blank map of North Africa and western Asia and will be asked to locate some of these places on it.

REGIONS

THE STRUCTURE OF ANCIENT EGYPTIAN CHRONOLOGY

In the table below, dynasties are indicated in Roman numerals. Absolute dates are per K. Bard, Introduction to the Archaeology of Ancient Egypt, pp. 41-44. Nearly all dates before 1000 BC are approximate and/or disputed. This course will focus on the periods whose dates are rendered in green.