For around thirty centuries, since 3100BC, from unification to its conquest in 332 BC by Alexander, ancient Egypt was the preeminent civilization in the Mediterranean continent (Kemp, 2007). From the famous pyramids of the Old Kingdom through the military victories of the New Kingdom, Egypt has long attracted historians and archaeologists and has established an intriguing field of study of its design, Egyptology. Common sources of knowledge and information regarding ancient Egypt is sourced from the numerous artifacts, monuments and objects discovered and excavated from archaeological sites, usually encrypted with hieroglyphs that have only been deciphered recently. The picture drawn from this discussion is that of a culture with no equal match in regards to its traditions, the beauty of art and the marvel of its distinct architecture.
Artifacts discovered and gathered indicate the existence of sustained agricultural civilization in ancient Egypt. Ancient Egypt’s was perceived as an oasis in the North Eastern desert of Africa, dependent on the yearly inundation of River Nile. This explains the vast agricultural population in the country. The chief wealth of the nation was sourced from the viable, fertile floodplains of the river valley, north of the present-time Cairo. The river not only supported agriculture, but it also attracted game and provided a transport channel for ancient Egypt.
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Most if not all of the inhabitants participated in agriculture and were most likely tied to the land (Grimal & Shaw, 1992). Agriculture dwelt mostly on the cultivation of barley, wheat and cereal crops. The overall predictability of the inundation and viability of the land sustained very impressive productivity from annual plants. Basin irrigation was common at the beginning as it was simple, although multiple cropping was not possible until later times. Apart from grain crops, vegetables and fruit were vital. Besides, papyrus, which grew in marshes was cultivated and gathered to be used to weave sandals, ropes, and mats. The massive agricultural production made it possible to preserve substantial surpluses for sustenance during drought seasons. The agricultural high output formed the foundation of Egyptian wealth, which remained so until the dawn of vast empires during the first millennium BC. It is believed that cattle might have been domesticated in Ancient Egypt. The Sahara desert is deemed to serve as evidence of overgrazing of cattle, dating back to around 800BCE. However, game animals especially antelope and ibex were hunted for food. Moreover, it was considered a royal privilege to hunt wild cattle and lions. The dog was a common pet used for hunting. It is apparent that ancient Egyptians had a profound interest in knowledge of most species of wildlife in their surroundings. Most individuals engaged in agriculture and therefore established a connection to the land. Majority of the population was attracted to Ancient Egypt primarily because of its natural fertility.
Most Egyptians are believed to be descendants of settlers who migrated to the Nile Valley during the prehistoric era. In various periods, there were many immigrants from Libya, Nubia and most especially from the Middle East. However, although they were historically significant and possibly contributed to the population growth of Egypt, their numbers are unknown. Historically, most people dwelled on towns and villages along and in the delta and Nile valley. The most favorable sites for settlement were slightly raised grounds near the river valley where water and transport were accessible and flooding unlikely. Often, houses were constructed of mud brick but have long disappeared beneath rising water levels and new city sites. This has therefore obliterated evidence of settlement patterns in ancient Egypt. In theory, all the land was the king’s although in practice those occupying it could not be evacuated merely. The property was allocated to prominent officials to provide them with income. Most tracts of land were expected to pay substantial dues to the state, a policy that aimed to keep the property in agricultural use. Abandoned tracts were seized back into state ownership and assigned for cultivation.
Similar to the simple means of agricultural means of optimization, a majority of ancient Egypt techniques and crafts originated from Asia and then later improved. The most striking technical innovation of the Egyptians was the massive stone building which depicted its ability to organize a vast labor force (Grimal & Shaw, 1992). The architecture of stone building exploited the capacity of a centralized state to mobilize massive labor force. Moreover, the organizational and technical skills involved in the architecture were remarkable. To this day, the construction of the famous pyramids has yet to be satisfactorily explained. More amusing, such a project would be a significant challenge today, regardless of the significant technological innovations.
Conclusively, the civilization of North-eastern Africa, precisely of Ancient Egypt dates back to the fourth millennium BC; Egypt has an extensive history which goes beyond written works, stories and monuments which has made the ancient Egypt culture famous. Its numerous achievements are reflected in its monuments and art holds popularity that seems to grow as archaeological findings explore its treasures. One of the prominent reasons for the growing popularity of Egyptian culture is its focus on the grandeur of the human experience. The great pyramids, tombs, monuments, and artifacts celebrate life and are constant reminders of what was, and what humans at their best are capable of achieving. Egyptian history and culture have always aroused universal fascination for people. The Egyptian history is a significant reflection of the power of the Egyptian civilization that has inspired various works of imagination, from paintings to books.
References
Kemp, B. J. (2007). Ancient Egypt: anatomy of a civilization . Routledge.
Grimal, N. C., & Shaw, I. (1992). A history of ancient Egypt (p. 159). Oxford: Blackwell.
