Thousands of years ago, on the African continent, one of the most ancient states on Earth, Egypt, emerged.
Ancient history: the state on the banks of the Nile. The time of occurrence and the first inhabitants
Egypt, like many other eastern countries,originated in the place where there was a constant source of water. In China, the first settlements appeared along the banks of the Yangtze and the Yellow River, Mesopotamia was located in the valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates. The state on the banks of the Nile, Ancient Egypt, was no exception.
In addition to the water source, the river gave the inhabitants of Ta-Kemet (the ancient name of the country) fertile soil, which allowed to get a rich harvest.
Egypt originated about six thousand years ago. The date of its formation, adopted by the majority of researchers, is the middle of the 4th millennium BC. e. Who inhabited the state on the banks of the Nile at the time?
At the beginning of the fourth millennium BC. e.in the territory of the future of Egypt, Caucasoid proto-Egyptian tribes are formed. They have already entered the period of the emergence of agricultural communities. In addition, they became involved in cattle breeding. They were already characterized by a sedentary lifestyle. The first buildings appear - granaries and dwellings.
At the end of the Aeneolithic along the banks of the Nile there was alreadyseveral protogosudarstvov. This period was called pre-dynastic by researchers, since Egypt was not yet united under the authority of one ruler into one administrative unit.
United Egypt and its first ruler
It is estimated that around 3000 BC. e.The upper and lower kingdoms, which had previously been hostile, were merged into a single state. Egyptologists have very little data about those times, so the controversial question is about the ruler, who became the head of the united Egypt. They are considered Menes, who, according to the version of the ancient historian Manetho, founded the united state. Other researchers think that he and Pharaoh Narmer are one and the same person.
If there are still disputes over the identity of the first ruler of Egypt, then the date of the emergence of a united country along the banks of the Nile is considered to have been precisely established.
Natural conditions
What is so attracted the territory of the future of Egyptfirst inhabitants? First of all, it was Nil. He is the source of the fertility of the land, a real gift for farmers. The sludge remaining after the floods made the soil soft, and it was easy to process it even with a wooden plow. The climate allowed to receive several harvests per year.
A feature of Egypt was that everything neededraw materials were nearby. There were almost no metals in the country, but they were mined in neighboring areas. What the state on the banks of the Nile experienced an acute shortage of was in the tree.
Egypt was very well located geographically. Nile was navigable and allowed to connect the country with neighboring states, for example, with Nubia.
The country on the banks of the Nile and its inhabitants. Farming and life of the ancient Egyptians
Despite the favorable conditions and climate,farming in Egypt required a lot of strength. The spills of the Nile left behind not only fertile silt, but also wetlands where dangerous animals were found. The winds blowing from the desert brought sand, which covered the crops and channels. Agriculture in Egypt was irrigated, and for this multi-kilometer channels were built, which constantly needed to be maintained in working condition. The first inhabitants of the country had to spend more than one hundred years trying to turn Egypt into a fabulous place.
The main agricultural crops of the Egyptians werewheat and barley. Due to the unusual softness of the soil sowing occurred in a peculiar way. At first, the grain was simply scattered across the field, and then a herd of goats or pigs was driven through it. They trampled grains with their claws into the soil.
Crop harvested early - in April-May.The sheaves gathered in sheaves threshed, again, with the help of cattle. Laid out the harvest on the ground and drove herd through it. Hooves coped with the task and knocked the grain out of the shell.
In addition to grain crops, farmers cultivated vegetables, flax, grapes and gardens.
The state on the banks of the Nile was famous for itsartisans. Egyptians achieved high craftsmanship in weaving. They made high-quality linen fabrics that were dyed white, red, blue, and green. Pottery was well developed in Egypt.
The life of the population of the country was simple and unassuming.Peasants and artisans built houses of clay and reeds. The houses of the nobility were made of mud brick, keeping cool, or wood. Often, the walls were built around the homes of the rich, so that there was a place to hide from prying eyes.
The food of the people of Egypt was very simple.It was based on cereals and vegetables. Garlic and leeks were especially favored. The common people rarely ate meat, mainly on holidays, and in rich houses it was included in a permanent diet.
Conclusion
The country on the banks of the Nile and its inhabitants and nowcause genuine interest. Egypt - one of the most mysterious ancient states, the beauty of nature which causes genuine delight, and the majestic monuments - admiration for its creators.
