Abstract
Just as historians wonder why a society comes to dominate a particular region of the world, they also wonder why that same society declines in its influence and power. The paper shows that over the course of the historical period from 3500 to 1000 BCE, the kingdoms of Mesopotamia, Egypt, India and China, all of which had exerted the most notable influence upon the Middle Eastern and Asian continents that these nations dominated, began to experience a period of decline. The paper shows that although the agricultural and political policies and influences of these societies continued to be felt by further historical generations, the societies themselves fell into disrepair.

From the Paper
"The level of absolute power wielded by such monarchs resulted in a society that was entirely dependent upon inequality for its justification, a system that still remains to a certain extent in notions of "caste" in India. (McKay et. al 62-67) This authority, to administrate its power, relied upon systems of administration and class stratification that were as complex as they eventually proved to be fragile. At first, this was beneficial to the populace to some extent. Many archaeologists have theorized that these states emerged as powerful as they did, as early as they did in the course of human history, because they could organize the existing food supplies increased through hierarchical agricultural networks of human beings. The physical structure of ancient Egypt's system of irrigation remains impressive today, although it was based upon enslaved labor. (McKay et. al 34)"

Tags:social, inequality, pharaohs, warfare

Abstract
An analysis of Egyptian culture and how it relates to war, religion and government, as well as the notion of astronomy and numbers in the acceleration of this great culture's rise in history. By verifying these elements, we can see how they grew in power.

Abstract
This paper explains how the belief of the Egyptians and Mesopotamian peoples that their administrative systems had divine origins shaped those systems. Urban areas and architecture are emphasized.

Abstract
This paper reviews and discusses Redford's controversial theme presented in his book, "Akhenaten - The Heretic King". Redford's theme contends that Akhenaten was not the enlightened pharaoh historians have made him out to be. The paper points out how Redford, through research and evidence from history, successfully argues that Akhenaten was actually a ruthless tyrant who possessed poor administrative skills and completely lacked a sincere desire to transform the country. The paper further notes Redford's position that Akhenaten did not care about his public and was not exactly a shrewd soldier, and this is what led to his ultimate downfall. Some of the criticisms aimed at Redford's book are mentioned, but the paper concludes by stating that the book is a worthwhile read.

From the Paper
"The first few chapters of the book deal with the background of Akhenaten's reign, his family history and how it ascended the throne. The author tells us about Akhenaten's father and the family in which the heretic king was born. This section doesn't present anything controversial, debatable or shocking. However with Akhenaten's ascension to the throne, the book takes an interesting turn as author makes several insightful and very original observations regarding this period. A large part of this book is devoted to Akhenaten's change of religion and his personal religious beliefs, which bring us to the Aten controversy."

Tags:monotheism, idol, worshipping, amarna, letters, rule, interpretation, egypto-mitannian, tushratta

From the Paper
"The remains of ancient Egyptian civilization speak of a cultural obsession with death and the problem of an afterlife It could be argued that the extent of the Egyptians' interest in the subject is distorted by the fact that most remains simply happen to be related to death. But the tombs have lasted to a great degree because they were carefully isolated and were nearly the only objects that the Egyptians created using permanent materials. This spectacular evidence from the age of the pyramids shows a culture in which the attempt to pass beyond the apparent limits of death was given the highest priority. In the Old Kingdom, 2658-2135 B.C., the pharaohs devoted incredible amounts of time-and resources to the construction of the pyramids in preparation for their passage after death. But evidence shows that graves of humbler sorts also demonstrate a similar concern..."

Abstract
Martin Bernal, author of "Black Athena", argues that numerous cultural achievements that are, by tradition, attributed to the ancient Greeks, are actually found in Africa, specifically, the Egyptians. Mary Lefkowitz, author of "Not Out of Africa," argues that Bernal's findings and assumptions are incorrect. This essay examines both works and discusses the opposing views.

From the Paper
"Berlinerblau, in his review of Lefkowitz's book, discusses the importance of academic inquiry unencumbered by political conerns (Berlinerblau Pp). Lefkowitz refers to Bernal as an armchair archaeologist. However, she is not the only critic of Bernal's work (Berlinerblau Pp). Robert Palter writes, "Bernal's rhetoric is predicated, unwittingly "on ignorance and superficial understanding" (Berlinerblau Pp)."

Tags:Afrocentrist, classicist

Abstract
This paper discusses the Egyptian funerary rituals and equipment, which eventually became the most elaborate the world has ever known. The author states that Egyptians began the art of embalming in the very earliest dynastic times because the body had to remain intact to grant to the dead the illusion of life. The paper presents in detail the many processes of embalming.

From the Paper
"The Predynastic Cultures of Ancient Egypt, for example, were relatively simple in their material possessions, including their grave goods, although these cultures seemed to enjoy a substantial degree of prosperity compared to the peoples around them and a relatively constant level of prosperity. As early as about 4000 B.C., some people were being buried with a relatively high number of grave goods compared to others, indicating that a complex society with a number of different social ranks had already evolved and was established well enough for people to want it to be reflected through eternity. The bodies of this time do not bear the elaborate preparations that they would by the New Kingdom thousands of years later. But, they do bear signs of an attempt to preserve them against the elements, including the wrapping of the body in cloth and at least sometimes the treating of the body with preservative chemicals sometimes by simply immersing or coating the body with these chemicals, sometimes by infusing the cloth wrappings with these chemicals. Except for the simplicity of this treatment, it resembles in essential ways later mummification techniques."

Tags:cloth, wrappings, mummy, tomb, kingdom

Abstract
This paper is an examination of the purposes and construction of the Great Pyramids. It looks at the connection between the afterlife and pyramids and their purpose as a demonstration of power and influence. It also discusses the mysterious nature of the construction of the pyramids.

Abstract
This paper describes early life in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia and how the environment developed. The writer explains the significance of agriculture in bringing the people to live together in villages and sustain themselves from farming near the rivers and waterways. The paper includes details of recent archaeological discoveries in the area that support the claims.

From the Paper
"Since the early years of archeological studies, it was thought that these developments occurred concurrently, meaning that they were devised and utilized at approximately the same time; however, recent archeological research has forced this view to change, for it is now clear that "Mesopotamia and its environs were far ahead of Egypt, at least temporarily, some five thousand years ago" (Snell, 178). Numerous village/farming communities in present-day Iraq date back to the mid seventh millennium B.C.E., and the remarkable fortified town of Jericho appears to be even older. In Egypt, the oldest settlements, located near the delta of the Nile River, do not seem to have been founded much before 4500 B.C.E., and furthermore, an urban society like those found in Mesopotamia seems to have never developed there."

Tags:civilization, pyramid, nile, river, village, farm

Abstract
This essay investigates such egyptology techniques and disciplines as historiography, chronology, philolgy, palaeography, lexigraphy, papyrology, epigraphy, anthropology and ethno-archaeology that can be employed to understand the ancient egyptian economy ranging from such topics as trade activities, importance of particular materials such as gold and silver, bureaucracy, the non-monetary economy and foreign trade relations.

From the Paper
"There are many methodologies and techniques that could be employed to reconstruct and analyze the past in order to better understand the ancient Egyptian economy. Historiography is one such methodology that could be of use because history writing encompasses many different aspects of society and culture. A concise history of Egypt would be particularly beneficial in understanding the ancient Egyptian economy because it would provide an insight into how the economy developed over time, perhaps illustrating the different trade activities that emerged or the gradual increase in free enterprise and markets for example. However historians and Egyptologists are reluctant to write an Egyptian history and instead concentrate on such aspects as cataloguing and labelling (Morkot 2003). Understandably there are a number of difficulties in attempting to write a concise Egyptian history including the sheer amounts of data available, as well as the increased specialization of Egyptologists who focus on one area of study, causing problems for the writing of an overall Egyptian history. Therefore using the methodology of historiography, although would provide a valuable insight into the ancient Egyptian economy, is currently lacking in its availability. Along with this there is also a scarcity of evidence in terms of surviving texts from Egypt that attempt to tell accounts of Egyptian history and this to provides problematic when attempting to use historiography to interpret the ancient Egyptian economy."

Tags:anthropology, archaeology, chronology, epigraphy, ethno, hieroglyphic, historiography, lexicography, paintings, palaeography, papyrology, philology, tomb