Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

What facts can you list about ancient Egypt? What kinds of occupations did people have? What were ancient Egyptian belief systems like? What was the purpose of mummies and burial items?

Teaching Suggestion: The novel’s protagonist, Ranofer, is a porter until his abusive half-brother, Gebu, forces him to do stonework. Ranofer dreams of becoming a goldsmith. When he discovers that Gebu is stealing from graves, Ranofer knows that his opportunity to become a goldsmith hinges on whether he can find proof of Gebu’s theft. To best understand the nuances of setting, plot, and character in the novel, students might first discuss ancient Egyptian lifestyles, occupations, and belief systems.

• This encyclopedia article explains what daily life was like in ancient Egypt. To shorten the reading assignment, you might have students read only the introduction and the first section, “Population & Social Classes.”
• This 5-minute animated video, which discusses death and mummification techniques, describes the ancient Egyptians’ burial process and beliefs about the afterlife.

Short Activity

Explore the historical period of ancient Egypt during the reigns of Amenhotep III and Queen Tiy.