All of the excavations on the temples and tombs point to ancient Egyptian craftsmen, particularly those dating back to the glory days when the Egyptian economy was booming and the Egyptians had the opportunity to show off their skills and create masterpieces, demonstrating that Egyptians are natural artists. The ancient Egyptian craftsmen were well aware of their extraordinary abilities and skills. They were responsible for the construction of some of the most captivating works of art, which for endless generations highlighted the ancient Egyptian civilization’s brilliance and attractiveness. Because of their extraordinary abilities, these artists were thought to be socially superior to common laborers.
Ancient Egyptian Craftsmen’s Social Value
The great mass of the populace could not afford the bulk of the objects created by the ancient Egyptian craftsmen. Their customers were primarily aristocracy or affluent middle-class people who could afford their services and high-quality goods. The prosperity of the ancient Egyptian craftsmen was also influenced by commerce and trade. When it came to the quality of some items, social status made all the difference: the affluent had finely carved furniture, while the middle class had to make do with coarsely painted chairs and chests, and the people with low income had to rely on these materials in excess.
Materials Used by Ancient Egyptian Craftsmen
Since prehistoric times, ancient Egyptian craftsmen used stones, clay, wood, fibers, ivory, animal skins, bones, and feathers as their principal materials. They introduced metal into the crafting process later in ancient Egypt’s history. Craftsmsmen discovered gold in its metallic condition, used silver as an adjunct to gold, and smelted ore. They also used copper, tin, and iron.
The Craftsmen of Ancient Egypt (facts)
Pharaohs, the government, or temple priests hired most Egyptian craftsmen and artisans, so they structured them hierarchically. They acquired their skills from past masters who upheld the principles of balance and maintained stylistic continuity. These masters may have learned from their parents, neighbors, or close relatives.
The builders of Dier el-Medina worked in well-organized workshops and special communities. Egyptians recognized the craftsmen for their skills, but the artisans remained anonymous. Highly skilled craftsmen included carpenters, stonemasons, sculptors, builders, weavers, blacksmiths, spinners, dressmakers, glass-blowers, potters, foundry workers, and scribes. Because few could become independent artisans, most worked as hired laborers for temples or royal organizations.
Tools for Ancient Egyptian Crafts
Carpenters used saws, axes, chisels, bow drills, wooden mallets, and adzes to construct a wide range of items, from roofing beams to wooden sculptures to furniture. They brought the wood from Lebanon. Sculptors used stone hammers and copper chisels to shape and polish the stone according to their designs. They constructed many magnificent, everlasting gigantic or life-size sculptures and stone containers.
Brickmakers and potters used Nile mud to create everything ancient Egyptian society needed. They combined mud and sand, slapped it into wooden molds, and dried it in the sun to make bricks. Potters used a potter’s wheel to create various containers. They would then coat the pots in a reddish liquid or decorate them with a comb or stylus before burning them in kilns. Bead makers were also very creative. They smashed stones together, rolled them between other stones to shape them and make them abrasive, then used a bow drill to cut a hole in the beads. The beads were then rolled in a receptacle.
