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How to Make a Model of a Pharaoh

Most of what we know about Egyptian pharaohs has been gleaned from their tombs, burial masks and often elaborately decorated sarcophagi. Much of Egypt's ancient ruins contain statues of pharaohs. The artists who carved the statues had to follow strict rules about how to carve the images. Statues of pharaohs were either seated with their hands on their knees or standing upright with their hands tight against their sides. The faces of the pharaoh statues show no emotion, with the eyes looking straight ahead. Young students of Egyptian art and culture will enjoy creating a model of a pharaoh.

Things You'll Need

  • 5-inch or 6-inch plastic action figure
  • Poster paper
  • Tape
  • Modeling clay
  • 2 plastic bowls
  • 2 cups of sand
  • Plaster
  • Water
  • School glue
  • Scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut out a strip of poster paper about 1/4-inch wide and 1 1/2-inch long. Wrap the strip of paper around the head of a small, posable action figure and secure it with a piece of tape. Fill the open section inside the paper cylinder on top of the action figure's head with soft modeling clay and smooth the top.

    • 2

      Cut a second small strip of paper and roll it into a tube about 1/8 inch in diameter and about 1/2-inch long. Wrap a piece of tape around the tiny cylinder to hold it closed. Attach the small cylinder to the action figure's chin using a small amount of modeling clay.

    • 3

      Cut a third strip of paper two inches long and one inch wide. Wrap the paper around the waist of the action figure to form a skirt-like garment and secure it with a piece of tape.

    • 4

      Pour about two cups of sand in a plastic bowl that is large enough to accommodate the action figure. Pose the action figure with the arms straight down at the sides, legs straight and the left foot slightly forward. Press the action figure into the sand to make a mold.

    • 5

      Mix 1/2 cup of water and one cup of plaster in a plastic bowl. Add about 1/2 bottle of white school glue to the plaster to help adhere the sand grains to the plaster. Pour the plaster and glue mixture slowly into the mold.

    • 6

      Allow the plaster and glue mixture to dry for at least one hour. Remove the plaster cast carefully to reveal the stone-like model of an Egyptian Pharaoh.

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