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Farmers
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The most important business in Egypt was farming. Most of the people were peasants, who worked all day in fields and barns.
The main food crops were wheat and barley, but many vegetables and some fruits were grown in gardens. Seeds were sown after the flood waters had gone down. Crops had to be watered with the help of canals and ditches. Cattle, sheep, and goats provided meat and milk. Some people kept ducks and pigeons, but chickens were unknown.
During flood season, when no farming could be done, peasants did construction work on temples and palaces.
(A) HARVEST
When the main crops were ready, nearly everyone - men and women, even priests - helped with the harvest.
(B) MUSIC
Musicians played while work went on in the fields. At planting time, magic spells were chanted to make the crops grow.
(C) WINNOWING
Women scooped the grain up with wooden trays, letting the chaff blow away while the heavier grain fell to the ground.
(D) TAXES
Farmers paid part of their crop as taxes. Scribes kept careful records of the amounts.
(E) CATTLE
Young boys helped to look after the livestock. A man's wealth could be judged by the cattle he owned. Farmers also owned sheep, goats, and donkeys.
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Previous:
Back
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Book:
The Egyptians
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Section:
Ancient Egypt
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Chapter:
Farmers
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