By Gabrielle Ahern June 2024
Ancient Egyptians are infamous for contributing to modern day civilization. For thousands of years, the country’s geographical remoteness protected its distinctive culture and identity. The mountains and Sahara Desert formed a natural border around Egypt, guarding against invasion by its enemies (1). The geographical separation vicariously prompted the Egyptians to develop clever, inventive solutions in response to their environment. These advancements armed them with the resources necessary to explore beyond their borders and cultivate trade and foreign relations with other cultures that established Egypt’s reputation as a successful and flourishing ancient society, whose inventions are now a part of everyday life (1). Here are some examples of ancient Egyptian inventiveness.
The Nile River was central to the lives of the Egyptian lifestyle. It was used to transport people and products to different communities, and as a trade route to the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea to exchange goods and develop effective foreign relations with other countries (1). The ancient Egyptians were particularly innovative in their farming practices and processes. The fertile riparian lands along the Nile River were cultivated into fields to grow fruit, vegetables, barley and wheat. So, the Egyptians invented irrigation systems to divert the flow of water from the Nile River to irrigate their lands (1).
One of the contributing factors to their agricultural accomplishment was the creation of a calendar based on the movements of the sun and the moon. The Egyptians calculated there were 12 months and every month had 30 days, adding five extra days to total 365 days in the year. Unlike the 4 seasons we plan for every year, the Egyptians only had 3 seasons. Egyptian farmers predicted the best times to grow and harvest their produce, by applying their observations of the cycles of the Nile River during the year to the calendar. A calendar that continues to inform and shape the practices of modern-day life (2).
Ancient Egyptian engineering and architectural prowess is recognised and appreciated worldwide. The Egyptians applied groundbreaking construction techniques to build megalithic structures like the pyramids. One of the building methods was reported to minimise friction by moving heavy stones on sledges across wet sand. In ancient times, the Great Pyramid at Giza was regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It used to stand 147 metres high and its base measured 230 meters (5). Some researchers hypothesise the positioning of the pyramids was to honour the gods or to navigate using the stars (6). Robert Bauval is an Egyptian writer who is known for the Orion Correlation Theory. He suggested the positioning of the three pyramids at Giza reflected the alignment of the three main stars in Orion’s belt during the astronomical age of Leo, a theory that has attracted a lot of attention (7).
The construction of ancient Egyptian dwellings is also notable because the Egyptians used the mud and reeds from the Nile River to produce bricks in the construction of homes that were adapted to climate extremes with built in insulation, a method designed to keep inhabitants cool during extremely hot weather (1).
Did you know many practical items we take for granted now were also part of the ancient Egyptians kit bag of tricks. Take ink and paper for example. Ink in different colours was created by combining soot, beeswax and vegetable gum together, while paper was produced from the leaves of the papyrus plant that grew in abundance along the Nile River (2). Eye liner called khol was also a fashionable make up accessory in Egypt. It was a mixture of soot and galena and invented around 4000 B.C. (2). The Egyptians invented wigs and also liked to remove any unwanted hair with wax (2). Dental hygiene and fresh breath were important to the Egyptians who invented toothpaste and breath mints. The tooth paste was a concoction of dried flowers, eggshells, pepper, salt, and ashes (2). Tools hairdressers now use for haircuts and shaving were invented by the ancient Egyptians. The tools of trade were slightly different to modern day combs and scissors, with some using shells and sharpened flints (2).
The Egyptians are reported to have developed the first medicines using combinations of animal products, minerals, and herbs. They also performed surgery on patients and practiced medicine in Houses of Life, which are believed to be the first type of hospital because they were dedicated to “the improvement and protection of human life” (2). Another medical innovation was the introduction of sick pay, recorded around 1500 BC, paid to labourers who were working in the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings (2).
Feeling safe and secure was a number one priority for Egyptians who invented door locks and keys, some early lock editions were as large as half a metre (2). The Egyptians formed the first police force in 2500 BC, who initially patrolled the Nile River to ensure the safety of boats and ships travelling along it. Around 1500 BC the Medjay were formed, an elite group of police who protected the regime’s stability, including the Pharoah’s lands, city, possessions and palace. These police are reported to have used monkeys and dogs to help apprehend criminals (2).
Tables are also reported to be invented by the Egyptians in the third Millenium, used to write, play games or eat dinner; while chairs were regarded as a status symbol by the extremely wealthy of society (2).
When the Egyptians had a day off, they liked to play bowls, with evidence of matches being played as far back as 5200 BC (2). Speaking of sport, the Egyptians invented the first timekeeping devices, such as the sun dial (2) and water clock around 1500 BC (3); and the obelisk in approximately 3500 BC (2)
The hieroglyphs found on the walls of tombs, buildings, artefacts and statues, are a lasting reminder of the writing system invented by Ancient Egyptians around 2925 BCE (4). The sequences of pictures record the daily lives of the Egyptians, including their religion, politics, laws, cultural practices and inventions. The pictures actually represent sounds or groups of sounds (4). These fascinating hieroglyphs are a record of a great society, and researchers discovered the key to unlocking their secrets with the Rosetta Stone in 1799, which was inscribed with exactly the same story in three different scripts: hieroglyphic, demotic, and Greek (4). After this discovery, Champollion’s book, Egyptian Grammar, published in Paris, 1836, (four years after the author’s death) led the breakthrough in how Ancient Egypt was understood and continues to be appreciated (4).
Despite exposure to the elements and damage over time, the artefacts, tombs, mummified remains, stone structures, and the sheer mathematical genius of these people, continues to inspire the imagination and reinvigorate investigations into Egypt’s magnificent history and culture.
References
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