Egyptian History & Art

For some time now Fionna has been very interested in Ancient Egypt. I can trace it all the way back to when she was about three-years-old and a family friend gave her a book about mummies. Since then the interest has waxed and waned but the past six months or so it has been pretty intense. She has checked out just about every book about Ancient Egypt the library has available. We have even ventured over into the adult section of the library in search of documentaries about Egypt.

It has been fun to see how research into one topic leads to another subject, then down another path and so on. Starting with Mummies we have learned about Egypt as a whole including culture, art and religious beliefs. A documentary about Hatshepsut lead to an interest in female leaders and on to Cleopatra. This took us to Cesar and Rome. Then on to Roman warfare, culture, gods and beyond.

It is such an amazing way to learn about history. Learning it for what it is... a story. An exciting story with real people and places, real love and war, real connections and meaning... not just names and dates to remember until they are no longer needed.

As part of this most recent historical journey into Ancient Egypt there has been a lot of Egyptian inspired art being created. Fionna is not typically a fan of "themed art" but she found a book at the library that she could not put down. She was determined to do every project in the book. While we did not do every project we did quite a few and she was very happy to have her very own Egyptian art display in her room... for a little while. She eventually took it all down to put in her backpack so she could show it off to friends and neighbors.

I managed to convince her that the clay pieces needed to stay on display. Above is her version of a cartouche. She made it with hieroglyph stamps she got with a book. We made one for each member of the family. They were eventually painted.

Finally she asked if we could make a set of nesting coffins. She wanted to make them out of cardboard or clay. I figured clay would be easier.

Since Fionna can just pinch out a little pot at this point I took over most of the shaping and she helped with the smoothing out and painting.
She has her mind on making lids for this little set but I am thinking that is going to have to wait until after the holidays. Holidays crafting has definitely taken over around here.

Once of the things I love most about this way of learning is that the whole family learns together. As a result of one individuals interest we have all learned a bit more about Egyptian history and the many ways it ties into other cultures. We have all grown from the experience.

Along with the books above here are a few of her favorite history books from the library:

~Adventures in Ancient Egypt - this one and any other adventure book involving the Binkerton's and the Good Times Travel Agency.

~ Eyewitness Mummies

~ Cleopatra

~ The Curse of King Tut's Tomb