Egyptian civilization developed along the Nile River valley between Libya, Sudan, Gaza Strip, and Israel. Animals like cats were important in Egyptian culture and were believed to have magical protective powers. Egyptians also believed strongly in the afterlife and prepared elaborate tombs filled with artifacts. The pyramids, such as those in Giza, were large funerary monuments used by pharaohs and royalty rather than slaves. Egyptian culture included elaborate temples, fashionable clothing, gold jewelry, and hieroglyphic writing.