Daniel,

One thing to keep in mind about Egypt is that it was a river running through a desert. Consider how the feedback would have formed the foundations of their religious and political systems. For one thing, the skies would have been much more clear, than in a jungle setting, where a culture would have had to be much more local and organic.

An interesting writer I have found on the basis of Western culture is Gilbert Murray. Especially his Five Stages of Greek Religion.