Agriculture in ancient Egypt | Farming tools, Crops, Festivals
Since antiquity, agriculture in ancient Egypt was the milestone in the Egyptian civilization. Egypt was divided into two parts, north and south or Upper and Lower Egypt. Also, we know for sure that Lower Egypt was a more fertile area, and agriculture practices began in the Predynastic Period between 6000 -3150 BC after they domesticated animals.
We know a lot about agriculture from the scenes decorating the walls of the tombs of the Nobles in Saqqara, Aswan, and Luxor west bank areas. The ancient Egyptian civilization was based basically on farming and producing their own food and clothes enabling them to build Pyramids and tombs.
Ancient Egyptians created agriculture tools to help them and believed in gods and goddesses connected to agriculture and they had agriculture festivals. Here are some of the important features of agriculture and the Egyptian farming year.
Ancient Egyptian Year | Ancient agriculture Calendar
Ancient Egyptians divided the year into 3 seasons Akhet, Peret, and Shemu. Akhet was the flood season and which lasts from June to September, while Peret was the growing season that lasts between October and February. Finally, Shemu was the harvest season and they made bread from wheat, beer from barely, and linen cloth from flax.
How did the Nile River play a role in ancient Egyptian agriculture?
The Nile River played a great role in ancient Egyptian agriculture. Nile flood every year brought rich soil that was perfect for growing crops. Meanwhile, The floodplain was the only area where agriculture was possible in ancient Egypt because the rest of the land was mostly desert.
They used canals and dikes to control the Nile flood and prevent flooding. They also used also basin irrigation systems to make sure the water reached the soil. They depended on the height of the Nile flood and adjust their planting schedule accordingly, depending on the flood height.
What were the major agricultural crops grown in ancient Egypt?
Ancient Egypt was known for its fertile land and advanced agricultural techniques, which allowed them to grow many crops. Some of the major agricultural crops grown in ancient Egypt included
Wheat and Barley
Wheat and barley were the main crops of ancient Egypt civilization. They were used to make bread and beer, which were important sources of nutrition for the ancient Egyptian people.
Flax
Flax was grown for its fibers, which were used to make linen. Linen was a valuable commodity, used for clothing, bedding, and other household items. Linen was found in many tombs, especially Tutankhamun’s tomb.
Fruits and Vegetables
Ancient Egyptians grew a wide range of fruits and vegetables, including melons, grapes, figs, onions, and garlic. These provided important sources of vitamins and minerals for the ancients. For example, in the tomb of Tutankhamun were found figs, dates, melon, grapes, and Doum palm.
Legumes
Legumes such as lentils and beans were an important source of protein for ancient Egyptians. They were often eaten in combination with other grains to provide energy, especially for the workers in the Valley of the Kings.
Oil-producing plants
Ancient Egyptians also grew plants that produced oil, such as sesame and flax. These oils were used in cooking and as a source of fuel for lamps.
Papyrus
Papyrus was a tall reed that grew along the banks of the river Nile. Its stems were used to make paper and other items such as hats, baskets, and sandals.
Cotton
Cotton was grown in the Nile delta region and was used to make clothing and other textiles.
These agricultural products allowed ancient Egypt civilization to have a stable food supply and to trade with other civilizations. They were also used in religious ceremonies such as daily rituals in Egyptian temples, as well as in the daily lives of the people in Egypt.
Agriculture tools in ancient Egypt
The transition of the Human from nomadic lifestyles into settlements needs more advanced tools and facilities. Ancient Egyptian farmers used a variety of tools and equipment to cultivate their crops and maintain their fields. Although, from the Neanderthal’s tools such as scrapers and hand axes to more advanced tools such as
Axe
The Axe was one of the most important tools in agriculture in ancient Egypt. Ancient Egyptians had two different axes, one was the battle ax and the second was the farming one. It was made out of metal and used to dig the land and remove large stones and loosen the earth.
Sickle
Egyptians used sickles made from flint and wood to reap grain. A curved blade provided a sharp edge to cut the grain stalks and to fit into a wooden haft along with a number of other such inserts, and secured with an adhesive.
Plow
A tool used to turn over the soil and prepare it for planting. Ancient Egyptians used plough, either a hand plough or a larger one driven by a cow, oxen, or donkey.
Hoe
A tool used to break up the soil and harvest crops. The hoe has been and still a crucial farming tool throughout history.
Rake
Another tool used to gather loose soil and level the field.
Watering pots
Clay pots were used to water the fields.
Sledges
Heavy weights are used to crush and thresh grain.
Storage jars
clay jars were used to store grains and seeds.
These tools were simple but effective and were primarily made of wood, metal, and stone. They were often hand-crafted and passed down through generations of farmers. The tools were used to prepare the land, plant, harvest, and store the crops.
How did ancient Egyptians irrigate their fields?
Ancient Egyptians used a variety of methods to control the water flow from the Nile River and to irrigate their crops. Some of the most common methods were
Canals
They would dig canals to bring water from the Nile to their fields. They also used canals to distribute water to different parts of their fields.
Dikes
They would build dikes or dams to control the flow of water from the Nile and to prevent flooding. They also used dikes to direct the water to specific areas of their fields.
Basin irrigation
They would create basins or depressions in the fields that would hold water. These basins would be filled with water from the Nile and would be used to water the crops.
Flood management
They would measure the height of the Nile flood and adjust their planting schedule accordingly, depending on the flood height. They knew that a higher flood would bring more fertile soil, and a lower flood would be less beneficial for the crops.
Water wheels
They would use water wheels to lift water from the Nile or from canals and to direct it to their fields.
Shadoof
They would use a simple machine called a shadoof to lift water from the Nile to their fields.
Water management
They would also use sluice gates and locks to control the flow of water in their canals and to regulate the water level in their fields.
Did ancient Egyptians have fertilizers to improve crop yields?
ancient Egyptians were lucky to have natural fertilizers to improve crop yields. Some of these natural fertilizers to increase the fertility of their fields were
- Nile mud
- mineral fertilizers
- animal dung.
- crop rotation to maintain the fertility of their fields
How did ancient Egyptians store and preserve their agricultural products?
Ancient Egyptians were smart enough to store and preserve their agricultural products. Some of the most common methods were
Drying
They would dry fruits and vegetables in the sun or by using ovens to remove the moisture and make them last longer.
Fermenting
They would ferment grains to make beer, and fruits and vegetables to make vinegar.
Fermenting helped to preserve the food and also added flavor.
Salting
They would salt meats and fish to preserve them
Pottery
They would store grains, seeds, and other dried foods in clay jars or pottery containers to keep the food fresh for long periods of time.
Preservation in honey
They would preserve fruits, vegetables, and meats by storing them in honey, which helped to keep the food fresh for longer periods.
Smoking
They would smoke meat, fish, and birds to preserve them.
Cellars
They would store grains, fruits, and vegetables in underground cellars to keep them cool and dry.
Ancient Egyptians had smart methods for storing and preserving their agricultural products. They dried, fermented, salted, preserved in honey, smoked, stored in pottery, rationed, and traded their products. These methods helped them to maintain a steady food supply, even during times of drought and allowed them to store food for long periods of time.
Gods and Goddesses connected to ancient Egyptian agriculture | Role of Religion in agriculture
Religion played a significant role in ancient Egyptian agriculture. The ancient Egyptians believed that their gods controlled the forces of nature, including the flooding of the Nile, which was essential for their agricultural success. He was farming to present different kinds of offerings to the deities to protect and help him.
Here are some of the agriculture gods in ancient Egypt
Isis
It is believed that Isis, the goddess of the flood from the Osiris Myth. Goddess Isis shed tears that caused the Nile began rising. The river that seemed dead as Osiris was reborn as living water.
Nepri, Neper deity of the grain
God Nepri’s photo was found in the temple of king Sahu-Ra from the 5th dynasty. He is represented in the form of the Nile god in the shape of a fat and flabby bellies man. Also, he was found in the rock temple of King Amenhotep II in Wadi-Elsebu and holding two bands of wheat, with the goddess Sekhet and the Hapi.
God Hapi, a deity of the flood
God Hapy who lived in the caverns of the cataract of the Nile, was presided over by Khunom, and the annual flood was called “The arrival of Hapy. he was depicted as a man with breasts and a potbelly, who controlled the flooding of the Nile. They would make offerings to Hapi to ensure that the river would flood and provide fertile silt to the fields.
Goddess Renenutet
Additionally, the goddess Renenutet was associated with the harvest and was seen as the protectress of the granaries. The ancient Egyptians believed she was a goddess of nourishment and harvest in the ancient Egyptian religion. The temple of Medinet Madi is dedicated to both Sobek and Renenutet. She was portrayed as a copra or as a woman with the head of the copra.
God Min, Deity of Fertility
The god Min, the god of fertility and the harvest, was also an important deity in the context of agriculture. He was often depicted as ithyphallic and was associated with the pharaoh and with the fertility of the land. who causes the soil to be fertile. Eventually, he became a vegetation deity, and one brief myth from the 11th Dynasty described his curious activity of bringing rain to the desert.
God Osiris
Furthermore, the god Osiris was also associated with agriculture, teaching man the arts of civilization and agriculture. Osiris Myth explained that the ancient Egyptians believed that Osiris was the god of the afterlife, and they would make offerings to him to ensure that their souls would be welcomed into the afterlife. Osiris was also associated with the flooding of the Nile, which was essential for the success of their agricultural endeavors.
God Geb
God of earth in the ancient Egyptian agriculture life
Goddess Hathor
Goddess Renenutet deity of the harvest was sometimes portrayed as Hathor.
Amun
The god of fertility and one of the most important deities in the Egyptian pantheon. He was one of the members of the Ogdoad of Hermopolis who ruled the endless dark waters of chaos before the world was created. Amun as an agriculture god in his temple at Karnak was portrayed as a man wearing a headdress with two plumes and holding the was sign an the ankh in his hands.
Agriculture wall paintings and artifacts in ancient Egypt
Many ancient Egyptian wall paintings and artifacts related to agriculture have been found in various archaeological sites throughout Egypt.
Some of the most significant sites include
Mereruka tomb Saqqara
A beautiful Mastaba for Mereruka to the north of the Step Pyramid of Djoser contains 33 rooms and the wall paintings show everyday scenes that include farming, winnowing barley and Sweeping together barley.
Tomb of Kagemni in Saqqara
Kagemni was the son-in-law of king Teti, 6th dynasty Old Kingdom. The Mastaba has hunting, fishing, and farming scenes carved in bas relief.
Tomb of Amenemhat, a monarch under Sesostris I
Located in the Fayom, the tomb of Amenemhat contains inscriptions and paintings depicting agricultural scenes, including the harvesting of crops and the use of irrigation canals.
Tomb of Rekhmire
In Thebes Luxor, the tomb of Rekhmire contains detailed inscriptions and paintings depicting various aspects of ancient Egyptian agriculture, including the planting and harvesting of crops, the use of irrigation canals, and the storage of agricultural products.
Tomb of Ankhmahor
Saqqara Giza, the tomb of Ankhmahor contains inscriptions and paintings depicting agricultural scenes, including the use of tools such as plows and hoes, and the management of irrigation canals.
Tomb of Menna
Luxor’s west bank, the tomb of Menna contains detailed inscriptions and paintings depicting agricultural scenes, including the planting of crops, the use of irrigation canals, and the harvesting of crops.
Tomb of Nakht
Tombs of Nobles Luxor, the tomb of Nakht contains inscriptions and paintings depicting agricultural scenes, including the use of irrigation canals and the harvesting of crops.
Tomb of Ti
Nobles tombs Saqqara, the tomb of Ti contains inscriptions and paintings depicting agricultural scenes, including the use of irrigation canals and the harvesting of crops.
Tomb of Petosiris
located in Tuna el-Gebel Al Minya, it contains inscriptions and paintings depicting agricultural scenes, including the use of irrigation canals and the harvesting of crops.
Tomb of Khnumhotep II
Beni Hasan nobles’ tombs contain inscriptions and paintings depicting agricultural scenes, including the use of irrigation canals and the harvesting of crops.
Agricultural Festivals in ancient Egypt
The ancient Egyptians enjoyed their life as they did much care about their afterlife. The ancient year started with the arrival of the Nile flood which means a lot to them. Here are some of the most important Egyptian festivals connected to agriculture.
Wepet-Renpet Festival | New Year Day
This is the New Year festival and it was celebrated in the first month of the ancient calendar. The festivals started when they observed the brightest star Sirius in the sky and that was the beginning of the year for them. Every June, the Nile flooded and people celebrated the beginning of the year.
Egyptian Harvest Festival | Min Festival
It was celebrated in the springtime, a harvest festival dedicated to Min, their god of vegetation and fertility. Farmers celebrated the feast with music, dancing, and sports.
The Epagomenae | Last 5 days of the year
The last days of the year and days made the year 365 days. Meanwhile, according to the Egyptian Creation Myth, these are the days in which the 5 gods were born as following
- Osiris
- Horus
- Seth
- Isis
- Nephthys
Sham El Nessim | An ancient Egyptian Easter
Sham El Nassim marked the beginning of the spring festival, with day and night equal in length and the sun in the Aries zodiac. Much of our information came from the Esna temple in Upper Egypt. People boil eggs, color them, and hang them in baskets on the top of their houses’ roofs. So, may God make their wishes come true
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