197 questions and answers in this section

History and Culture » Ancient Civilizations

Explain why did pharaohs wear an uraeus on their forehead?

Explain why did pharaohs wear an uraeus on their forehead?

The uraeus is the small upright cobra that the pharaohs proudly wore on their foreheads. It mainly represents the serpent goddess Wadjet, protector of Lower...

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Explain why the civilizations of Mesopotamia worshipped multiple deities.

Explain why the civilizations of Mesopotamia worshipped multiple deities.

In Mesopotamia, each city-state had its own protective deities. Babylon, for example, primarily worshipped the god Marduk, powerful and protective; Ur favored the moon god...

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Why were the pharaohs buried with so much wealth?

Why were the pharaohs buried with so much wealth?

In ancient Egypt, pharaohs believed that earthly death led to a second life, one that was eternal. But to enjoy the afterlife comfortably, one had...

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Explain why the construction of the Great Wall of China took centuries.

Explain why the construction of the Great Wall of China took centuries.

This project was gigantic: imagine a structure several thousand kilometers long crossing mountains, deserts, and steep valleys. Accomplishing this required insane organization, mobilizing hundreds of...

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Explain why ancient civilizations used cryptic writings.

Explain why ancient civilizations used cryptic writings.

Ancient civilizations often viewed religious knowledge as precious and dangerous if it fell into the wrong hands. Priests and initiates wrote with strange symbols or...

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Explain why the Minoan civilization used a sophisticated sewer system at Knossos.

Explain why the Minoan civilization used a sophisticated sewer system at Knossos.

The city of Knossos on the island of Crete had a rather warm climate with dry summers and mild but sometimes very humid winters. With...

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Explain why was Tutankhamun's treasure buried with so much wealth?

Explain why was Tutankhamun's treasure buried with so much wealth?

The time of Tutankhamun, around 1336-1327 BCE, corresponds to a particular period of ancient Egypt. He ascends to the throne when he is still just...

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Explain why the statues of Easter Island are facing inland.

Explain why the statues of Easter Island are facing inland.

The moai are primarily representations of important chiefs or ancestors. By carving these immense statues, the ancient inhabitants of the island sought to preserve the...

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Explain why the Kingdom of Benin was famous for its bronze sculptures.

Explain why the Kingdom of Benin was famous for its bronze sculptures.

The artisans of the kingdom of Benin mastered the elaborate technique of lost-wax casting to perfection. This method involves sculpting the object first in wax, then coating...

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Explain why was the Great Pyramid of Giza built with such precision thousands of years ago?

Explain why was the Great Pyramid of Giza built with such precision thousands of years ago?

The ancient Egyptians had quite incredible notions in math and geometry for their time. Thanks to their advanced knowledge, they could easily draw perfect right...

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