Egypt relied heavily on water for transportation, trade, and as a food and water source. The process of mummification was expensive and reserved for pharaohs, queens, and other elites as a way to prepare the body for the afterlife. Several notable pharaohs ruled Egypt, including Khufu from 2551-2528 BCE and the female pharaoh Hatshepsut. The pyramids of Giza, some of the oldest stone structures in the world, were built around 5000 years ago and their massive stones sometimes weighed as much as five elephants. Egyptians believed the pharaoh was a god and placed importance on rituals and gods to assist with the journey of death and

1. Egypt By Heidi Schueler