Section 5 Lesson 9: Egyptian Artisans

In ancient Egypt, artisans created many of the civilization’s most beautiful art objects. Which statement best describes their social status within the pyramid of society?

• They ranked as scribes above common laborers

• They ranked below priests and government officials

• They ranked at the very top with pharaohs

• They ranked equal to farmers and soldiers

Which group of workers made up the artisan class in ancient Egypt?

• Carpenters, jewelers, leatherworkers, painters

• Soldiers, charioteers, messengers, traders

• Farmers, fishermen, tax collectors, priests

• Architects, astronomers, teachers, scribes

Which types of objects were commonly produced by Egyptian artisans?

• Jewelry and furniture

• Grain storage jars and plows

• Scrolls and clay tablets

• Ship sails and fishing nets

Painters in ancient Egypt most often portrayed scenes of which topic?

• Military victories

• Mythical creatures

• Foreign trade routes

• Egyptian daily life

Which artisans were considered the most skilled and what did they commonly produce?

• Metalworkers; tools, weapons, helmets

• Weavers; carpets, clothing, curtains

• Stone carvers; statues, engravings, reliefs

• Potters; bowls, jars, vases

Which rocks were preferred for carving by Egyptian stoneworkers?

• Limestone and shale

• Basalt and marble

• Granite and dolerite

• Sandstone and chalk

Which description best matches a typical artisan’s house in ancient Egypt?

• Rectangular, about 10 yards long, three rooms

• Circular, small courtyard, one large hall

• Square, two stories, central atrium

• Triangular, narrow corridor, five chambers

How did artisans typically organize their work on large projects?

• They worked only at night to avoid heat

• They worked alone at home without supervision

• They worked alongside one another in big workshops

• They worked in rotating pairs on short shifts

On royal building projects, pharaohs might call upon what size of workforce from the artisan class at one time?

• Thousands of foreign laborers

• Hundreds of artisans at once

• A dozen artisans at most

• Two or three master artists

What forms of recognition could talented artists receive for their work?

• Signing their work, employer banquets, self-portraits

• Land grants, noble titles, tax exemptions

• Military honors, chariots, bronze weapons

• Voting rights, council seats, trade licenses