Called the Book of the Dead, papyrus scrolls were placed in the tombs starting in the New Kingdom and contained spells and instructions on getting through the underworld to the afterlife. PHOTOGRAPH BY LEBRECHT MUSIC & ARTS / ALAMY

Ancient Egypt was one of the most fascinating civilizations in history. It lasted over 3000 years and left behind an impressive legacy of remarkable achievements in the fields of art, architecture, religion, science, and more. From the towering pyramids to the intricate hieroglyphics, there's so much to discover and explore about this ancient culture! Here are five of the most interesting facts about Ancient Egypt for kids

1. Pyramids

PHOTOGRAPH BY SCULPIES, SHUTTERSTOCK

The pyramid is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that has survived. Here are some interesting facts about the ancient Egyptian pyramid that kids might find interesting:

• The ancient Egyptian pyramids were built from roughly 2550 to 2465 BCE. Most of them were built as tombs for the Pharaohs (the rulers of ancient Egypt) and their families.

• Over 130 ancient Egyptian pyramids have been discovered.

• The oldest known ancient Egyptian pyramid is the Step Pyramid at the Saqqara burial ground, northwest of Memphis. It was built around 2630 B.C. for the third dynasty’s King Djoser. The largest known ancient Egyptian pyramid is The Great Pyramid of Giza - the tomb of Fourth Dynasty pharaoh Khufu. It is estimated to have taken around 20 years to build, and around 2.3 million stone blocks were used in its construction, some weighing up to 50 tons each. Its height is almost half the height of the Eiffel Tower.          

• The ancient Egyptians believed that the pyramid shape had special powers to help them communicate with the gods.

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2. Inventions

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The ancient Egyptians invented many things that we still use today, such as paper, calendars, clocks, and medicine. Here are some interesting facts for kids about Ancient Egypt Inventions:

• Paper and Ink: The ancient Egyptians were the first to make paper from a papyrus plant that grew along the Nile River. They cut the stem of the papyrus into thin strips and soaked them in water. Then they laid the strips side by side and pressed them into a sheet. The sheet was then dried in the sun and polished with a shell or ivory. The ancient Egyptians were also the first to make ink from soot, water, and gum. They used it to write on papyrus with a reed pen to write down their history, religion, and stories.
• Calendar: The ancient Egyptians invented the calendar. They were the first to divide the year into 12 months and 365 days. They based their calendar on the sun and moon cycles, and they used it to plan their religious festivals and agricultural activities. The ancient Egyptian calendar was very accurate and sophisticated for its time.

See more: Organizing Dates with an Ancient Egyptian Calendar - Why Are There 365 Days in a Year?

• Brushes and Toothpaste: Ancient Egyptians created "brushes and toothpaste" around 5000 BC. They used mineral salt, dried irises, pepper, and mint mashed into a fine paste with a bit of water to create a tooth-cleaning mixture. The ancient Egyptian toothpaste recipe shocked dentists, who described it as an advanced recipe "ahead of its time."

• Musical instruments: The ancient Egyptians invented many musical instruments, such as the clappers, the harp, the flute, the lyre, and the tambourine. They used them to play music for their gods, their pharaohs, and their festivals.

Seemore: 7 Ancient Inventions That Were Way Ahead of Their Time

3. Ancient Egypt Pets

In ancient Egypt, they kept many animals as pets, and pets played an essential role in their lives.

• The Egyptians were one of the first civilizations to keep household pets.         
• The Egyptians considered animals a gift from the gods, so they would take care of pets until they die. They even embalmed them like humans. They also mummified some animals like cats, dogs, crocodiles, and birds to honor them or to accompany them in the afterlife.
• The animals they made pets are domesticated dogs and cats, baboons, monkeys, fish, gazelles, birds (especially falcons), lions, mongooses, and hippos.
• The ancient Egyptians loved cats and considered them sacred animals. They believed that cats were magical creatures with healing powers and that they brought good luck to the people who housed them.

4. Cosmetics

 Dorling Kindersley via Getty Images

• Cosmetics have been used since the Predynastic Period in Egypt, about         6000-about 3150 BC.         
• Egyptian men and women of all social classes applied cosmetics to makeup.         
• Some of the most common types of makeup worn by the Ancient Egyptian women during their period were: eyeliner, eye shadow, mascara, lip color, and eye makeup powder.        
• The ancient Egyptians believed that makeup had spiritual and ritual significance in addition to aesthetic purposes. By wearing makeup, they thought they protected themselves from evil spirits and the gods’ wrath.      

5. Gods And Goddesses

• The ancient Egyptians had one of the largest and most complex pantheons of gods of any civilization in the ancient world.         
• There         were over 2,000 Gods And Goddesses in the Egyptian pantheon, many whose names are well known - Isis, Osiris, Horus, Amun, Ra, Hathor, Bastet, Thoth, Anubis, and Ptah, among others - but many less so who were also important.
• They believed that the gods controlled the forces of nature and the cycle of life and death.
• The pharaoh was considered the intermediary between the gods and the people.

These incredible facts offer a glimpse into the captivating world of Ancient Egypt. From the towering pyramids to the intricate hieroglyphics, there's so much to discover and explore about this ancient culture!

Discover more: Top 10 Treasures Of Egypt