Science in Ancient Egypt

What sort of science was available to, or discovered or invented by, the ancient Egyptians? What lasting impact did Egypt have on our world, and specifically on the development of the sciences? This book seeks to inform you, including: How the Nile River contributed to the development of irrigation, agriculture, and raising cattle. The possible ways the Egyptians could build the magnificent pyramids, including the tools that were used. The number system the Egyptians developed, and how they used it to solve problems. The other mathematic topics the Egyptians understood and/or developed. How the Egyptians came up with an incredibly accurate calendar and how they told time. The types of medicine the Egyptians practiced and how they passed that knowledge down to the next generation. What the Egyptians got wrong about anatomy. How the scientific achievement of the Egyptians affect our lives today. This book makes a good supplement to a study on ancient Egypt. However, this is not an in-depth book, and it seems to just skim the surface of most of the topics it covers (with how the stones got from quarry to being part of a pyramid being the exception I can recall.) This book would be a good read aloud for younger elementary kids, there are pictures on most pages, or a supplementary reader for older elementary kids studying Egypt. The information introduced here may cause them to seek out more details at the library. Possible Problems: I am a little confused after reading this book. Did the Egyptians or the Sumerians invent the irrigation of crops and the domestication of livestock? It seems to suggest that the Egyptians did, but every history book I have read credits the Sumerians. Both civilizations could have, simultaneously, or in isolation, invented these techniques, but even then, would the Egyptians be "the first." Also, it is said that the Egyptians used science to advance medicine. However, as they used trial and error alone, and did not seek to explain how or why something worked, the Egyptians did not practice true science in the development of their medical procedures. A small detail, perhaps, but it may blur a child's understanding of the term "science."

There were many interesting topics in the book but I felt it was overall a little short. I used it as a read aloud for my children during our Egypt unit study. We were amazed at how the Egyptians multiplied and divided numbers. We tried it and it really worked! Many interesting things we did not know before. I do recommend the book, but because of it's short length I did not give it 5 stars. Fascinating read. Chapters include: Geography & science; The Pyrmids; Mathematics; Adtronomy and Timekeeping; Medicine.