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 Background Information - Life in Ancient Egypt
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The importance of the River Nile The daily life of the inhabitants of Ancient Egypt was governed by the laws of nature. The rise and fall of the water level of the Nile determined every facet of their lives. Each year, at approximately the same time, the water of the Nile broke its banks and flooded the surrounding land. The receding water deposited nutrient-rich silt making the land extremely fertile. The waters of the Nile were also used for irrigation. The water was channelled to the fields surrounding the river through a system of small canals. As a result, abundant crops could be produced from a relatively small area. However, if the Nile only rose up to six metres above normal water levels, a famine was likely. But if the river rose to eight metres or more above normal, a bountiful crop was forecast. Since the Nile was so important to the agricultural productivity of the Ancient Egyptians, their calendar was based the annual flood and fall of the river. The Egyptians considered the year to be divided into three seasons, each lasting four months. 'Ahket' (July-October) was the season of the inundation. During the season of 'Peret' (November-February) the fields were planted. During the drought season of 'Shemu' (March-June) the crops were harvested.
The principal arable crops were barley ('hordeum') and three types of wheat (called 'emmer', 'einkorn' and 'spelt'). The grains were used to make bread and beer, two of the staples of Egyptian life. Fresh vegetables such as onions, garlic, peas, lentils, beans, radishes, cabbages, cucumbers and a type of lettuce, were grown in small plots outside the villages. Grapes were grown in the Delta area and used for wine. Flax was grown and used for oil and to make linen textiles. Animal husbandry was practised by the Ancient Egyptians and is referred to in the section Animals in Ancient Egypt.
There was no money as such in circulation because the Ancient Egyptians used a barter system. This way people negotiated the costs of goods and services and paid in kind. Therefore, a woven basket would cost so much grain, or a sarcophagus would cost so many cows or other goods. Taxes could be paid in either agricultural produce (such as grain or animals) or labour (such as compulsory work for the king).
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