The sun shone brightly down on the grain fields of Egypt. It was harvest time and everyone was busy. Men chanted prayers as they cut down the wheat with their knives. Women worked to separate and grind the precious grains. Soon there would be bread for all!
Feeding the
Country
Grains, Corn and Flax
Vegetables
How Do We Know That?
The flooding of the Nile River was the most important annual event in ancient Egypt. When the Nile receded back into its banks, a thick covering of fertile mud was left behind. Farmers dug irrigation ditches from the Nile riverbanks to the fields so crops could be watered during the growing season. A simple machine called a shaduf was used to raise water from the Nile and pour it into the irrigation channels.
Feeding
the Country
Ancient Egyptian farmers had a big
responsibility. They were expected to grow enough crops to feed all of the
Egyptian people. They grew barley,
emmer wheat, fruit, vegetables and flax. When
the crops were ready, men and women helped harvest them.
The farmers also raised livestock such as cattle, sheep, goats, ducks and
geese for food.
On occasion, the Nile flooding would
be low and the soil would not get the necessary nutrients.
The crops would be poor, resulting in a famine.
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Grains, Corn and Flax
Egyptian men harvested the stalks of wheat,
barley and flax. The women would separate the grain from the chaff. Barley and
emmer wheat were made into bread, the Egyptians' basic food.
To make bread flour, the Egyptians pounded grains with flat grinding
stones. Barley was also used to
thicken soup. Grains were crushed and mixed with water to make porridge and
cakes that were sweetened with dates or honey. Unused grains were stored in
granaries.
Vegetables
Vegetables served as a main staple for poorer
Egyptians. They had private gardens
at home where they grew vegetables. The
ancient Egyptians believed vegetables were good for their health. Spinach, peas
and beans were some of their favorite foods.
They also grew dates, cucumbers, melons and onions.
Ancient Egyptians loved strong tasting
vegetables such as garlic and onions. They
even thought garlic had special powers to drive out tapeworms and scare away
snakes.
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How
Do We Know That?
Many Egyptian mummies have very bad teeth.
Egyptologists think that sand was often ground up into the flour for
their bread. Chewing sand with
their bread wore down the ancient Egyptians’ teeth. Eating sweet cakes with
honey and dates also led to dental problems for most ancient Egyptians.
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