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Ancient Egyptian Economy

The existence of the Nile River, which was one of the factors of economic development in many fields, particularly agriculture, the abundance of stones and minerals, which were a component of its industrial renaissance in terms of arts and architecture, and the privileged location and sea coasts made it global commerce, all contributed to ancient Egypt’s economic success.

Ancient Egypt’s economic components

Agriculture, industry, and trade: As agriculture is the main pillar of Egypt’s wealth and civilization, as well as one of the most important resources, and one of the most important sources of income for the ancient Egyptians, the Nile is considered the most important factor in the establishment of one of the world’s oldest agricultural civilizations. As a result of agriculture, the Egyptians were bonded to their motherland. Agriculture instilled in the Egyptians the concepts of unity, arithmetic, and geometry. Ancient Egypt’s farming and production process included the Egyptian farmer, irrigation projects, crops, farming methods and tools, agricultural property, and the involvement of the state – animal husbandry and hunting were all part of the process.

1. Agriculture in Ancient Egypt

1. Agriculture in Ancient Egypt

The farmer enjoyed numerous rights, the most significant of which was the ability to own and rent land; as a result, the farmer was well-positioned in society; however, the farmer was the least affluent in society and suffered much from injustice and tyranny during periods of state weakness. He was influenced by the elders, who were buying the product at a reasonable price after receiving the government’s tax portion. A message from a smallholder of agricultural land urging seriousness and work on his land: Feed the men while they work, take good care of them, and play the whole earth, work until your ears hurt, see if they are hardworking, and thank the gods because you and I will not have to offend the farmers. Egypt’s agriculture has been reliant on the Nile’s waters since prehistoric times. The Nile inundated the area every year, bringing water and rich silt with it. The Egyptians understood that the Nile River was vital to their survival, so they dug canals, built bridges, and built dams to protect it and to arrange irrigation. The farmer’s life was the most significant of all since he established gauges to watch the Nile and predict the rise in its water level to estimate the value of taxes and the regions that could be irrigated during the year. If the Nile’s flood level rises, he must drain the water from his property, and if the level drops, he must elevate the water to reach his land.

Ancient Egyptian Crops

Except for periods of calamity and lack of floods, Pharaonic Egypt had a plethora of crops and was becoming self-sufficient in them. Cereals like wheat and barley, vegetables such as onions, garlic, and lettuce, and pulses such as lentils, sesame, and lupine are among the most renowned crops in Pharaonic Egypt. Flax plants, which have fibers, are used in the textile industry. Ornamental plants, fruitful trees (grapes, dates, figs) (sesame for oil extraction). Egypt has been renowned as the country of good land products from the dawn of time. Cultivation Techniques and Farming Equipment After the floodwaters retreated, the cultivation process went through various stages. Irrigation projects were established by the federal government, which helped to achieve an agricultural renaissance. Dams are being built to mitigate the impacts of flooding. Egypt has a history of dealing with crises and developing emergency plans calmly and strongly.

Throughout history, the Egyptians have been known for their love of animal grazing and their compassion for it. A separate crew of trained shepherds was in charge of herding the livestock. Egypt has a significant livestock wealth, with the delta being the most wealthy due to the abundance of natural pastures. Farm animals and birds: Among the animals, cows took top rank, followed by sheep and goats. Ducks, geese, hens, and pigeons were among the birds they knew, and they also kept bees. The farmer profited from the use of animals in agriculture and transportation. Wool, dander, fur, hair, skin, and flesh are all beneficial to him. In Ancient Egypt, there were numerous different forms of fishing. Land hunting: It is centered on hunting desert animals such as deer and lions, and the Egyptians were unconcerned since it was not a means of subsistence, but rather a pastime for the people. Hunting birds: such as quails, birds, and swans, which required little effort. It is a significant source of food, particularly for the impoverished.

Agricultural innovations in Ancient Egypt

Shadouf In Ancient Egypt

Shadouf: It’s a device that an ancient Egyptian came up with during the New Kingdom era as a way to raise the Nile’s water in high regions distant from the flood plain, allowing him to cultivate more than one crop each year. It has a bucket on one end and can lift one hundred cubic meters of water in twelve hours, enough to irrigate a little more than a third of an acre.

2. Industry in Ancient Egypt

Industry in Ancient Egypt

The ancient Egyptians took advantage of the resources that God bestowed upon Egypt, such as wood, stones, and minerals, and were able to determine the best uses for these resources and how to develop them to establish a strong industrial renaissance, which was one of the main pillars upon which his civilization was built. Egyptian craftsmen would frequently inherit their trade from their fathers and grandfathers and pass it on to their sons, which served to polish and improve these crafts from generation to generation. The artisan had the right to perform any skill he pleased, and certain workers’ efficiency and expertise reached a level of mastery and miraculousness, especially when they learned the qualities and mysteries of the raw materials they used over time. The Ancient Egyptian government was interested in collecting minerals and providing security and safety for mining operations in the desert, and the monarchs were proud of the fact that they protected employees’ rights and avoided forced labor. Workers’ earnings were spent in the form of in-kind contributions.

Important ancient Egyptian Industries

Stone industries include the production of sculptures, pots, and coffins, which are among the earliest forms of business. The silt was utilized in the manufacturing of sculptures, pots, and construction bricks, among other things, in the pottery industry. Glass industries: The Egyptians were the first to discover how to make glass from the white sands of the Egyptian desert. Metal industries have been practiced in Egypt since the time of the Pharaohs. The ancient Egyptian also used gold to create jewelry, utensils, coffins, masks, and kings’ crowns, such as King Tutankhamun’s Jewlery and golden coffins. Silver was used sparingly for producing similar products. For the production of ships, furniture, coffins, and doors, the ancient Egyptians imported fine wood from outside since it was not accessible in Egypt, such as cedarwood from Phoenicia and ebony from Nubia and Puntland. Papyrus was used to create paper, and Egypt holds a monopoly on this process due to the fact that it was the first and only country in the world to do so. Light boats, baskets, ropes, mats, beds, and paper are all made from papyrus. The ancient Egyptians understood how to weave with flax, wool, and silk, and women spun with wooden spindles, while weaving was done on looms similar to those seen in the countryside today. The ancient Egyptians advanced in the skill of tanning leather. Shoes, chairs, media covers, automobile floors, and water tables are the most significant leather items.

3. Ancient Egyptian Trade

Ancient Egyptian Trade

Egypt’s unique geographic position influenced Egypt’s interactions with surrounding countries and the creation of commercial and trade ties with them, and the ancient Egyptian government encouraged both domestic and international commerce. The internal and external trade thrived as a result of the range of transportation options. Nile River transport is represented by boats in the Nile that transport goods from north to south and back, maritime transport is represented by large ships that travel the seas transporting goods and establishing civilized communication with neighboring countries, and land and transport is represented by animals being transported and oxen pulling sleds to transport stones. Horse-drawn vehicles first arose as a mode of transportation in the New Kingdom. In addition, the government’s involvement in promoting commerce was critical, as was the construction of fortifications along Egypt’s borders to safeguard and ease international trade. Securing trade routes from pirates, as shown on the walls of Queen Hatshepsut’s temple, and establishing specific departments such as Accounting, Customs, Foreign Trade, and Commercial Convoy Departments. To promote commerce with Nubia, King Senusret III constructed a canal in the rocks of the first cataract enabling ships to pass through. To promote trade with Puntland, the Sesostris Canal connected the Nile to the Red Sea. The ancient Egyptian government also enacted legislation to regulate markets, safeguard economic transactions and their stability, and impose harsh punishments for market manipulation. There were also business laws throughout the New Kingdom’s reign. Amputation will be imposed on anybody who commits a crime of mitigation in measure and balance, forges contracts and seals, defrauds those who deal with him or alters the texts of public documents.

In the past, local trade between Egyptian cities was lively, and marketplaces were created in various towns. Barter was the foundation of economic trades, and it was founded on merchants’ honesty and mutual confidence. As a result, the ancient Egyptians relied on moral judgment and rules to govern their business activities.
Egypt’s monarchs were eager to develop commercial connections with other countries in order to exchange products. The Levant and the south of Nubia, the kingdom of Punt, modern-day Somalia, and Libya were the most significant countries. Egypt saw an extraordinary civic and commercial boom with the start of the New Kingdom, as Egypt grew into a huge empire and Egyptian trade reached the Mediterranean islands.

Egypt maintained international trade connections with the Levant (Phoenicia). The most famous of these commercial voyages was King Sneferu’s mission to Phoenicia in a merchant fleet of forty ships to import cedarwood. Egypt used to import oils, particularly olive oil, as well as animals, from Libya. Ebony, ivory, and gold were also brought from Nubia, as were grain, Egyptian linen, stoneware, and pottery. Hatshepsut’s trading trip to the Land of Punt in 1504 BC was the most renowned. The armada, which was made up of five big ships, returned with uncommon agricultural harvests, as well as ebony, ivory, incense, perfume, and exotic creatures including giraffes, monkeys, and leopards. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to discover the genuine definition of awe within the portals of Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan, as well as the most beautiful vistas on the planet, by embarking on a Nile River Cruise as part of one of our Egypt trip packages.

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