Project Summary: 1. Using examples from topics covered in class, explain why you think ancient Egyptians placed such heavy emphasis on the theology and rituals connected with the afterlife. Why, if Egypt was so prosperous and well-protected, did Egyptians seem to care more for access to eternal life in the next world, rather than for life in this world? Why did rituals like pyramid building and mummification have such prominent roles in Egyptian theology 2. Mesopotamian civilization is credited with being one of the first successful river-valley civilizations in the ancient world; it is credited with the invention of many of the fundamental aspects that still compose human societies today. Yet, no Mesopotamian Empire lasted as long as that of Egypt. What were some of the factors (such as environmental, cultural, or military) that contributed to the rise and fall of Mesopotamian civilizations, between 2300 BCE and 500 BCE? Trace the development of Mesopotamian civilizations from the