Question

historians and scientists who study ancient egypt dont always reach the same conclusions. read these two summarized sources about the end of the old kingdom. then answer the question below.

source one
a study of soil in saqqara in lower egypt shows aridification and low nile flooding around 2200 bce. these were probably caused by low rainfall upstream of the nile in ethiopia. all of this caused a rapid collapse of the old kingdom around 2150 bce.

aridification: drying up

source: fabian welc and leszek marka, \climate change at the end of the old kingdom in egypt around 4200 bp: new geoarchaeological evidence,\ quaternary international. copyright 2014 by elsevier.

source two
geological evidence shows that egypt had much drier climate conditions around 2200 bce. the drought conditions led to gradual political changes, such as a change from relying on the king’s government to relying on local governments. but the drought conditions did not lead to chaos or famine.

source: nadine moeller, \the early / middle bronze age transition in view of evidence from egypt during the old kingdom and first intermediate period: a new evaluation,\ the oriental institute, 2014.

which statement about the end of the old kingdom do the two sources agree on?

due to drought, the old kingdom slowly collapsed.

a drought led to dry climate conditions in egypt.

low rainfall caused the old kingdom to collapse quickly.

the old kingdom was conquered by foreign invaders.

Explanation:

1. Analyze "Due to drought, the Old Kingdom slowly collapsed": Source One says "rapid collapse", Source Two says "gradual political changes" but no "slow collapse" agreement. Eliminate.
2. Analyze "A drought led to dry climate conditions in Egypt": Source One has "aridification (drying up) ... low Nile flooding ... low rainfall" and Source Two has "much drier climate conditions around 2200 BCE" from drought. Both agree drought caused dry conditions.
3. Analyze "Low rainfall caused the Old Kingdom to collapse quickly": Source Two says drought didn't lead to chaos/famine, so no agreement on "collapse quickly". Eliminate.
4. Analyze "The Old Kingdom was conquered by foreign invaders": Neither source mentions foreign invaders. Eliminate.

Answer:

A drought led to dry climate conditions in Egypt.