Farming in Ancient Egypt
The people of ancient Egypt were largely self sufficient. The proximity of the river Nile and its frequent floods were beneficial to agriculture. Agriculture is a major reason for their prosperity. They were among the first groups of land to start farming, probably around 10,000 BC.
Most villagers were farmers. Some live in cities too. Crops such as barley, vegetables, figs, melons, pomegranates and grapes wheat, barley, flax, onions, leeks, garlic, beans, lettuce, lentils, cabbage, radish , turnips, grapes, figs, plums and melons.
The most important crop was grain. Bread, porridge, and Beer were made from cereals. It was the first crop grown after the flood. Once the grain is harvested, they grew vegetables such as onions, leeks, cabbage, beans, cucumbers and lettuce.
Cultures were grown along the banks of the Nile, which had a soil rich in black. Farmers have planted fruit trees and vines along the roads, to provide shade and fruit. The seasons were dependent on cycles of the Nile River.
In Ancient Egypt there were three seasons:-
Akhet season
It was the flood season from June to September. Water, mud and silt from the river was washed over the banks to create a fertile area growing. All fields were flooded during this time and of course agriculture has not taken place. Farmers have other jobs during this season. People went around the boat. See also : Akhet symbol .
Peret season
It was the growing season from October to February. When waters receded, the farmers plowed the land ready for agriculture. They had large plows pulled by oxen and plows to hand.
Shemu season
Shemu was the harvest season from March to May Mature crops have been cut and removed before the next flood season. Reapers cut the ripe corn with wooden sickles edged with sharp stones. Women and children followed behind the reapers to collect the fallen ears of corn.
Cattle were used to trample the corn cutter to remove grain from the ear. Then the grain was tossed to the breeze blew the light useless straw on. Simple agricultural tools such as winnowing shovels, hoes, rakes, flint sickle blades and the plows were used by the Egyptians.
For watering crops, canals were used. Shadouf is a piece of equipment used by farmers. A Shadouf is a large pole balanced on a crossbeam, a rope and bucket on one end and a heavy weight to the other counter.
Pulling on the rope he lowered the bucket into the canal. The farmer then raised the bucket of water by pulling the weight. He then swung the pole around and empty the bucket on the ground.
Most tools were made entirely of wood, or a combination of wood and stone.However, metal tools also exist. Animals were very important for Egyptian farmers. Animals helped with jobs like trampling in seeds, pulling the plow, eating wheat grain and unwanted or provide Egyptians with food and drinks. Animals such as cattle, goats, pigs, ducks, geese and cows were kept.
Ancient Egyptian Farming pictures :
