Based on their research historiansfound that Egypt, which arose many thousands of years ago in the northeastern part of the African continent, belongs to the earliest states of the Ancient World. Absolute power belonged to Pharaoh, whose orders were implicitly executed by the nobles. In the subordination of these officials was the most numerous stratum of Egyptian society - the workers, in fact, the lowest class. Let's look at how farmers and artisans lived in Egypt.
Work days
In an unenviable position were artisans andfarmers, because they had to think not only about how to provide for the family. At their expense, state dependents lived: Pharaoh's army, nobles, scribes, etc. The state treasury in the form of taxes took away the lion's share of everything that could be earned by hard work. Rural workers woke up with the first rays of the sun, and went to bed after its sunset, i.e. All daylight hours they had to work by the sweat of their brow. Farmers and artisans in ancient Egypt worked all the time, the only way to earn food for the family.
In those days, livelihoodsThe farmers of Egypt largely depended on the Nile, which was and remains the longest river in the world. It was important to skillfully use its spill, i.e. moisten not only the nearby land, but also more remote areas. This purpose was served by dug canals, specially constructed dams, which, with the beginning of the flood of the river, opened slightly, allowing the free flow of water. Historians describe in detail how farmers and artisans lived in Egypt.
In this way, irrigation was carried out.squares. A fertile layer of silt was deposited on the surface of the coastal zone with Nile water, which significantly increased the soil indices. As a result, the land became softer, it was much easier for peasants to process it. It was possible to plow even with a light wooden plow. The life of artisans and farmers in ancient Egypt was very difficult, but without them could not live high-ranking pharaohs.
Sown area was specially driven away.domestic animals, which hooves trampled grain deeper into the ground so that it did not reach the birds. For cleaning the ears of grain crops - wheat, barley - used a primitive sickle. Its base was made of wood, and the cutting part - in the form of a flint or bronze tab. Later, when the technology of melting metal was improved, they began to use bronze and copper sickles.
Unfair taxes
Приступая к уборке урожая, крестьянин помнил, что the earliest ears had to be given to the nobleman. Threshing grain occurred as follows. Cut ripened ears of corn spread out on a hard, flat surface. Cattle ran through them and grabbed the grain. The grain was scooped with wooden shovels and thrown to a certain height, the wind carried off the husks. Asking the question of how farmers and artisans lived in Egypt, historians in one voice say that they had to be insanely hard.
Grain ripening in the field attracted birds, was invaded by rodents and especially locust. The main areas of handicraft were leather, pottery, weaving production.
Were there any markets?
Due to the fact that commodity-money relations inthose times were developed very poorly; there was no such thing as selling products. Nevertheless, on one of the murals the ancient Egyptian artist presented a scene with people who, with some small boxes, were obviously going shopping. Possibly, the containers served as something of a measure of grain for the purchase of not only goods, but even services rendered. The life of farmers and artisans in Egypt depended on the owner, who encouraged and punished.
This was the basis for the hypothesisabout the existence in the ancient Egyptian society of the relationship, reminiscent of commodity-money relations. The description of the following case has reached our time: a wealthy grandee became generous, having paid for the labor of the masters who built the pompous tomb.
What was the home of the worker?
How did farmers and artisans live in Egypt? How did they develop their life? This can be found in this section.
The home environment of the poor workers was impossiblebe called luxurious. The walls and the roof overhead could protect residents from the heat of the day, from the wind and cold at night. Despite the fact that there were plenty of stones on the territory of Egypt, clay houses still prevailed. Perhaps this was due to the presence of excellent thermal insulation properties and sufficient strength for this building material. To a large extent, they were reinforced by special technology for the manufacture of unfired bricks, which included manure, and used reed for reinforcement.
Due to the fact that the floor was below ground level, even during the unbearable summer heat the house had a more or less comfortable temperature. Residents descended into the room on the steps, as if in the basement.
What did the people of labor eat?
The diet of farmers and artisans is notdiffered variety. And it's not just extreme poverty. For people who are constantly engaged in hard physical labor, it is important that the food was simple but satisfying. These were flat cakes from barley. Occasionally, workers could afford vegetables and meat, which spoiled the nobles. Common among artisans and farmers was a papyrus rhizome dish that tasted like starch. Now you know what farmers and artisans in Egypt ate.
The most consumed beverage was beer.Although some researchers of ancient Egypt are inclined to believe that it is still kvass. Evidence of popularity can also serve as the fact that during the agricultural work of each worker to quench their thirst was supposed to treat the intoxicating drink.
Appearance, clothing attributes
How farmers and artisans dressed inEgypt, also described by historians. The wardrobe of these people was characterized by extreme modesty. The hot tropical climate allowed the inhabitants of this region to do a minimal amount of clothing. The head is covered with a bandage, and the lower part of the body - a long skirt or loincloth. In the early stages of statehood, even shoes were not worn. Only with time did sandals come to their feet.
