Lesson 1: Egypt: The Gift of the Nile

Where was Ancient Egypt?

Ancient Egypt was located in the northeastern corner of Africa. It stretched along the banks of the longest river in the world, the Nile. This great river starts in the heart of Africa and spills into the Mediterranean Sea to the north.

Most Egyptians lived near the Nile as it provided water and excellent soil for growing food. This region was known as the Black Land. Further away from the river was the Red Land, a region of inhospitable desert.

The Egyptian Calendar

Egyptian farmers divided their year into three seasons, based on the cycles of the Nile River:

Akhet (June-September): No farming was done at this time, as all the fields were flooded. Many farmers worked for the pharaoh (king) instead, building pyramids or temples.

Peret (October-February): In October the floodwaters receded, leaving behind a layer of rich, black soil. This soil was then ploughed and seeded. During Peret, farmers also dug irrigation canals to bring water to their fields. A device called a shaduf was then used to transfer the water. A shaduf was a long pole with a skin bucket on one end and a heavy weight on the other. When the weight was lifted, the bucket on the other end was lowered into the water. The farmer then raised the bucket of water by pulling down on the weight. He then swung the pole around and emptied the bucket onto the field.

Shemu (March-May): This was the harvesting season. First, the scribes measured the grain to determine how much should be saved as seed for the next planting, how much must be given to the landowners, and how much each worker might keep to feed himself and his family. Then the harvest began. First, the crops were cut down and carted away. The grain was then threshed with a fork and trampled by cattle to remove the husks. The grain was then tossed into the air to remove the remaining husks (a process known as winnowing). The grain was then moved to granaries for storage.

Egyptian Foods

The Ancient Egyptians grew many of the foods they ate. This included wheat and barley, which were often used to make bread and beer. They also grew many other foods such as carrots, lettuce, cucumbers, onions, garlic, radishes, beans, and turnips, and fruits such as melons, grapes, figs, dates, and apples. Goats, sheep, chickens, and cattle were also raised and eaten.

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Check Your Knowledge Activity 1:
Farming and the Egyptian Calendar

Send In Activity 1:
Complete one of these options:

Option A: A Day in the Life of an Egyptian Farmer
Option B: Make a Model of a Shaduf
Option C: Let's Eat